My stomach hurts at the idea, and suddenly my food looks less appetizing than before. I stare at my plate, trying to decide if it’s worth it to stay or not.
His voice cuts through my internal debate, his tone much softer as he asks, “What’s wrong?”
Looking back up at him, the gleam in his eyes is still there, but his smile has faltered. He does look concerned, but probably because all he wants is to grant some wish of mine and get paid.
“I have no interest in wishing upon stars…or genies.” I swallow the lump forming in my throat, regretting the words the moment they leave my lips.
His eyes soften, the devilish gleam that was there moments ago completely gone. “And what a delight that is, darling.”
Is he going to take that as I have no interest inhimspecifically? Not that I care, of course. I’m not interested, so I don’t know why I’m stressing about it.
No interest in the genie that makes penises explode through pants.
Zero.
What does he mean bydelight, though? I look at him, my brows furrowing all the way. This sparks his smile again, which only makes my brows drop lower.
“What?” I quickly ask, taking a hesitant bite of my meal.
He shakes his head slightly. “Nothing, you just look cute when you scrunch your brows down like that.”
I look…what?
My cheeks instantly warm, and I sit back in the chair, watching Arman as he mirrors me and takes his first bite. His eyes dart down from mine, staring at the plate intently.
“Oh, my Gods, this is good.” He scarfs down another bite, and I can’t help but laugh.
He gives me a grin before taking another bite, his focus totally pulled away. I can’t lie, the level of intensity he has right now is weirdly hot.
Gods, no, I did not just think that. He’s not hot.
But hesois.
I raise a brow at him, hoping my staring wasn’t obvious. “What, have you never had a grilled cheese before?”
With a head tilt, he raises a brow back at me. “Of course I have, but nonethisgood. Maybe I’ll have to move to Harmony Glen.”
“For a grilled cheese?” I laugh, instantly trying to choke it down, but it’s too late.
His eyes light up victoriously, and I scold myself for laughing—I can’t help it. This feels almost…natural.
Each second that passes reveals a different layer about him, and I grow more and more curious about just how deep they go. Curiosity is dangerous, though.
He runs his tongue across his lip rather slowly, my eyes darting between it and his eyes, before he says, “For the grilled cheese, and maybe another reason.”
My heart is pounding in my chest. What is the other reason? Why is he looking at me like that?
If he moves here, that means I’llhaveto see him around town. But at this moment, the idea doesn’t sound so bad.
I adjust how I’m sitting, crossing one leg over the other. When I move it, though, I brush his leg accidentally, bringing our gazes together instantly.
In this moment, eyes locked with the tricky genie across from me, I feel somethingelseI haven’t felt in forever—a flutter between my legs.
Gods, what is wrong with me? Am I falling forhim? After what I witnessed?
Coming out tonight was a horrible idea, and I never should have agreed. I don’t want to let anyone else into my life. I don’t want to have to open up to anyone aboutanything.
Dating is painful, and I need to put a stop to this before it goes too far.
