She glares at me like I’ve kicked her puppy or insulted her hair. “That man is possibly the nicest human being on the planet. Not that I know who you’re talking about.”
“Is he dying?” I ask.
“No,” she barks like I’m being ridiculous.
I wonder how she can be so sure. “Are you a personal friend, or did he grant you a wish, too?”
She rolls her eyes. “Just go.”
“Why can’t you tell me what you know? Who is he?”
She leans in and hisses, “We can’t be seen talking.”
“Then let me inside,” I hiss back. “I only want to know who this guy is. He’s showing up at my work and my house. I mean, as a fellow female, you can understand how strange that is, right? Some guy pops into your life, claiming to be a genie and offering you five million dollars or horse ranch in Colorado worth more money than you’ve ever dreamed of?” Then you massage his temples and kiss him while he’s napping. Oops.
She groans out a breath. “Damn it. I told him to just walk away. I knew you’d cause problems.” Her eyes go wide. “You didn’t call the police, right?”
Confused, I frown. Why would she think I’m trouble? I jerk my head toward the door. “I haven’t called anyone, but I will if you don’t let me in.”
“Fine. But I really do have an appointment, and if he ever saw me talking to you, he’d lose his shit. This conversation never happened.” She pushes on the door.
“Thank you.” I slide by her, and she locks the door behind me.
“Head straight back to my office.”
I walk along the racks of clothes and past the knickknack section where I found the bottle. We enter the back sorting room and storage area piled high with boxes, sports equipment, and clothes. It smells musty, like old shoes and mothballs.
“Straight through there.” She points to a little room with the lights on. I go in and take a seat on an antique armchair.
Instead of sitting, she leans against the edge of her messy desk a few feet away to face me. “So what do you want to know?” She folds her arms over her chest. Up close, under this bright light, I notice she has lots of fine wrinkles around her eyes and lips. The strange thing is, I assumed she was my age—late twenties. If she is, then she’s had a stressful life. That, or she likes to sunbathe.
“You already told me he’s not dangerous,” I say, looking for a confirmation.
“No. Not even a little.”
“So who is he?” I ask.
“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that, because I don’t honestly know.”
Liar. “Then how do you know he’s not dangerous?” I ask.
“I can’t tell you that either. You’ll just have to trust me. He’s no danger. Just make your wish, and he’ll be on his way.”
“I already did.”
“No. I mean, make a real one. Ask him for money or a mansion or a trip around the world on a private yacht.”
That last one actually sounds kind of cool. Wait. No. “All I want is to know who he is. Give me a name. Tell me where his money came from. Give me something.”
“Did you try asking him that yourself?” I can practically hear her calling me a dodo in her head.
My mouth flaps for a moment. “Well—well, no. Not exactly.” It’s not as if he’s given me a chance either. He seems to zip in and zip out before I can form a coherent thought besides, He looks peeerrtty. Want to pet him.
“Then I suggest you do.” She stands up straight, signaling my time is up.
“All right. I will, but can you at least explain how he knows what people wish for if the paper stays inside the bottle?”
She leans down a little, bringing our faces closer together. “Ask. Him.”
“You’re saying he’s going to tell me.” Doubtful.
She shrugs. “Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, what does it change? He wants to help you. Take it. Be grateful. Move on.”
“Maybe I should call the fuzz.” Why did I say fuzz? “I know you’re in on this whole thing. You put the bottle here in your shop. People buy it. He then proceeds to enter their kitchen, smelling wonderful, make them coffee, and cause some pretty intense dreams because he’s driving them crazy with his whole mystery-wish-man vibe.”
She drills into me with her eyes. “Wait. You’re into him, aren’t you?” she says accusatorily. “That’s the real reason you’re here making threats and trying to get answers. Well, you’re wasting your time, so just take your wish, and say goodbye.”
I’m starting to get the impression that this isn’t just about protecting his secrets. She’s protecting him. Like Olivia would protect me from someone she didn’t think was good enough.
Strange, because this woman doesn’t even know me. Yet she alluded to the fact that I would be trouble. Ohmygod. He’s been talking about me to her. She warned him to walk away, but he refused. Why? What am I to him? My core tingles with excitement. Could he possibly… No. Ridiculous. No way he’s attracted to me. I’d know.