Page 6 of The Genie’s Wish (Harmony Glen #10)

Chapter Six

ARMAN

Dinner went even better than I had hoped. I made her laugh , and I wasn’t even trying to be funny. She looked radiant as she tipped her head back and those soft lips parted, her laugh so alluring.

The hardest part of it all was trying not to take sneaky glances at her low-cut top. When she walked in, I nearly had to change into my genie form just to hide my arousal.

With each moment of conversation, each word that left her, I grew more and more attracted. She’s got some feistiness in her, but I can tell she has walls up—and they seem heavily guarded.

I can’t tell though if the walls are just for me , or if they’re up for everyone. Hopefully, for everyone…though I would understand why if it is just because of me.

Gods, if I could go back and not make that man’s penis pop out of his pants, I would. Too late now.

At least she went to dinner with me, and we’re going for a walk this evening. I’m even picking her up—well, meeting at her house and going from there.

But she shared her address with me, so that’s progress.

Now all I need to do is continue to prove that I’m not a terrible guy, and that I’m interested in her . She seems to have it in her head that all I want to do is grant her a wish.

Honestly, I hope she never wishes for anything and remains uninterested in my wish-granting abilities. It makes her even more appealing, which I didn’t think would be possible.

As I walk up the steps of her front porch, I run my hands down my shirt, smoothing out any wrinkles. Wrinkles don’t impress the ladies, and I am very much trying to impress my darling Pinky.

Raising my arm, I knock three times quickly, standing straight as I wait. On the other side of the door, I can hear shuffling.

Soon enough, the door flies open, and Pinky stands there, this time wearing a tank top and leggings—much more casual, equally sexy.

“Wow…” I mutter under my breath, just taking in all of her beauty.

She tilts her head. “What was that?”

I bring my eyes up to hers, looking for any indicator that she won’t slam this door in my face if I compliment her. Her eyes are wide, pupils large, and her cheeks have a reddish hue to them.

Bingo.

“I said wow, you look so beautiful—today and yesterday.” I keep my eyes locked on her face, watching as her cheeks get even redder.

She looks away, tucking a few strands of her vibrant hair behind her eat. “Thank you.”

No door slammed in face? I’ll take that as a win. I give her a wink as she steps outside, locking the door behind her.

Glancing down at her hand, I fight the urge to slip it into mine. That might be pushing my luck, and I feel fortunate to have even gotten this far.

“Ready?” she asks, leading the way down the steps.

I quickly match her pace, walking alongside her as we travel through the neighborhood. The beach isn’t too far from here, and the sun will be setting soon.

It’s going to be perfect—the sunset is super romantic. The sunset on the beach? Even more so.

Surely this will help me win over Raya’s heart. Otherwise, I might have to take drastic measures. Really turn on my charm.

Instinctively, I move behind her, guiding her by her shoulders to the inner side of the sidewalk. She tenses slightly under my touch, and I can’t help but feel a pit in my stomach.

Her eyes narrow at me, and she stops walking. “What are you doing?”

I stop, facing her from a few steps ahead. “Moving to the side closer to the road…”

She looks between me and the road, her eyes going wide and her cheeks going red. “Oh.”

Without saying anything else, she begins walking again, her hand brushing mine as I step in line with her.

“So, Pinky, what do you do for work?” I ask, barely watching where I walk—my eyes are locked onto her.

To my surprise—and delight—there is much less hesitation in her voice as she answers, “I’m a streamer. Like, I play video games online for people to watch. They subscribe, donate, and just support me.”

“That sounds really fun.” I give her a sheepish grin as she turns her head to look at me. “I personally suck at video games—but maybe I’m not giving it enough of a chance.”

She lets out a gentle laugh, this one much freer than the last one I had the honor of hearing. It floats through the air, dancing over my skin and sending flutters through my heart.

And a twitching to my dick.

Gods, she’s just so perfect.

“Some games are also just harder than others, but those are the ones that are the most worth it in the end,” she reassures, giving me a small smile.

I wish I could freeze time in this moment and just savor the pure bliss filling me. Her smile, for me , willingly given to me.

The way her eyes crinkle at the corners, her cheeks growing adorably large—I can’t get enough.

She looks ahead, and I quickly speak before the conversation dies. “I guess I’ll have to really commit to my next one, then.”

Like my next video game, I’m very much going to commit to this little game of ours, Pinky. No more cat and mouse.

The thing is, my dear Pinky, this is not a game to me—I don’t want you for some temporary gratification. I want you forever.

The thought frightens me, but also excites me. I’ve never had these thoughts about someone before.

I’ve never had someone send fires hotter than the depths of hell through me—everything I’ve felt before was a measly ember compared to this.

Compared to her.

“So, wh—” Pinky starts to ask me something, but she’s cut off by someone behind us.

“Sorry to interrupt—are you a genie?” A woman’s voice floats through the air, full of excitement.

We both turn around, examining who the voice comes from. It’s a younger woman, and her hands are clasped in front of her chest, her mouth open to reveal a grin.

I nod at her. “Yes, I am.”

“That means you grant wishes, right?” She takes a step closer.

“Yes—for a price,” I tell her, my eyes darting to Raya.

Listen, I can grant a wish for real, no tricks at all, but it still comes at a price. It is my business. I can’t just be giving away wishes for free. Expending all that magical energy for nothing in return? No way.

The woman pulls out her wallet. “If it’s not too much trouble, could I make a wish? I have a hundred dollars, if that covers anything.”

Normally, that amount wouldn’t—even for a small wish. However, I am trying to impress Pinky, so depending on the wish, I’ll take it.

I can feel Raya’s eyes burning into me, so I simply respond, “Depends on the wish.”

“Honestly, I’d just like one of those old Polaroid cameras—to take pictures of all the things around town.” She grins, holding out the money. “The kind they don’t make anymore.”

An item like that would retail for much more than one hundred dollars…but I can make it happen. This is the perfect chance to show there’s more to me than Raya thinks.

I nod, taking the bill from her and putting it in my pocket. “Okay, hands out, and close your eyes, and say what you wish for.”

Excitedly, she shuts her eyes, doing a little dance on the spot as she puts her hands out. “I wish for an older Polaroid camera.”

Does she really need to close her eyes? No, but it’s part of the fun.

Channeling my magic, I bring her wish to fruition. In her palms, an older—but in perfect condition—Polaroid camera sits. Her hands lower slightly as the weight of it sets in.

The woman’s eyes fly open, and she lets out a squeal before hugging the camera to her chest. “Oh my gosh, thank you so much. This is amazing. You just made my holiday!”

“No problem at all. Pleasure doing business with you.” We watch as she scurries away, still clutching the camera close to her chest.

Well, that wasn’t my most profitable moment, but I’m hoping I profit in the love department—gaining it from Raya, that is.

As we turn to continue our walk, Raya’s hand nudges mine. This time, though, it doesn’t graze on past—it slips into mine.

I’m holding her hand right now. Thank the Gods for sending that woman to me, wanting an easy wish. All right in front of my Pinky.

“So, you actually can grant wishes for real,” she remarks, her thumb tracing circles on the back of my hand.

I lean to the side, putting my head lower and closer to hers. “I told you I could.”

“And now I believe you.” She smiles up at me, her cheeks glowing with a faint pink hue.

Relief floods me. I’m making progress gaining Pinky’s trust. I may actually convince her that my intentions are pure. At least, with her.

The draw I feel to her, the connection already…it’s supernatural. Stronger than the magic that flows through me, stronger than the gravitational pull of the universe.

“What do you want out of life, Pinky?” I ask, the sand of the beach now beneath our shoes.

She hums for a moment, as if she’s never thought of her answer. “Well, I guess…happiness? Maybe a family one day, if I meet the right guy.”

The side-eye she gives me paired with the smirk that I see creep onto her lips makes my heart do flips inside. Oh, Pinky, don’t you see yet? I am your Mr. Right.

“I never thought I wanted kids,” I admit before quickly continuing, “but my opinion on that has definitely changed recently.”

Her eyes are wider now as she shoots me a look. “Really? What changed?”

Now, if I’m too blunt, I risk scaring her off. Though if my point isn’t clear enough, she may think that I’m not talking about her.

“I guess you could say that this town changed me.” I wink, giving her a safe answer.

It seems to go over well, as she rests her head against my arm and gives my hand a squeeze. “There is something about Harmony Glen that has the power to do that.”

Before I can say anything else, she raises her free hand, pointing out toward the water. “Look how pretty the sunset is today.”

I turn in the direction she points, taking in the breathtaking colors of the sunset. While the top of the sky is still a shade of blue, the bottom, near the water, glows pink. A slight bit of orange emits from what remains of the sun.

Where the pink and blue meet, a lovely purple shade is made. The meshing of two great things together to create one much more beautiful thing.

“It’s like us,” I tell her, my heart beating so fast I fear she can feel it through my arm.

She lets out a little laugh, wrapping her other hand around my arm. “It is.”