Mesmerized

her wrist and fingered the bracelet. “I…I wasn’t sure you would.”
    He followed her gaze. “Did you think that my feelings for you would change if you wore that?”
    She nodded. Her eyes still focused on the bracelet. “I wasn’t sure…”
    “Lily, look at me.”
    She looked up into his blue eyes.
    “I love you always and forever. Don’t ever doubt that. That bracelet doesn’t change how I feel. Do you understand? I still love you.”
    Lily grinned from ear to ear. She had nothing to worry about. He really did love her. “I love you, too.”
    It was actually a weight off her shoulders. It had always been in the back of her mind that he was only with her because she was a succubus, and he was unable to resist her. Now she knew he loved her for herself, and that was an amazing feeling. She felt like she was floating on clouds. 
    Lily thought it would be interesting to go out without the bracelet and see if really did have as much impact as Camille had said. "Let's go out to eat."
    Jake grinned. "Where do you want to go?"
    "I don't know somewhere with a lot of people." 
    "IHOP?" Jake knew she wanted to try out the bracelet and he had to admit he was curious if it worked or not. He still thought she was the most stunning girl he had ever seen. The bracelet didn't damper any feelings he had for her. 
    "That sounds perfect. Let me grab my sweater." 
     
    Lily tensed as she pushed open the door and the bell went off over their head announcing their arrival. Several heads turned in their direction, and a couple of the men gave her the once over. Great it didn't work. Now she would never truly know if Jake loved her. Camille was probably just trying to make her feel better and gave her a placebo bracelet. 
    Jake leaned down and whispered in her ear. "See if you can cut the line."
    Lily glanced around there were several people waiting to be seated. She walked up to the young man behind the counter. She made eye contact with him and he smiled nervously. "We would like a seat."
    "So would everyone else in line. Take a number. You'll be called when it's your turn." He titled his head in the direction of the machine that spit out numbers. 
    Lily took a number and turned to Jake. Her face lit up the room. She was so excited a guy had told her ‘no’. There really was a first for everything. 
    "Did you see that?" she asked in a hushed tone. 
    "I saw the way he checked you out when you walked away." 
    "He told me no!" 
    "I guess the bracelet worked. Don't worry. You still turn heads."
    "I'm not worried. Well, I guess I was a little worried. But as long as I have your attention, that is all I need." Lily rested her head on his shoulder.
    Their number was called and they sat down at the table. They had a waiter and he paid no extra attention to her whatsoever. She was elated. She could really go around like a normal person now! She stared out the window while they were waiting for the food. Normal. Was that what she wanted? To be normal? She always thought it was. But, what if she was so used to being supernatural that normal was boring to her?
    “What are you thinking about?” Jake asked.
    She shifted her gaze back to him. “Being with you.”
    He smiled. “Soon.”
    “You sound like you have something in mind.”
    “Maybe I do.” His eyes twinkled. 
    Lily smiled. She liked surprises, and she couldn’t wait to find out what Jake had in store for her. 
    When they got back to the house, Lily and Jake found the living room full of boxes. “What’s going on?” Lily asked.
    “Christmas.” Her dad grinned. He was like a big kid on Christmas—loved every part of it. They had boxes and boxes of decorations that had been collected over the year. Her father thought it was a contest to have the best-decorated house in the neighborhood. 
    Lily looked at the calendar and realized how close to Christmas it was. Time had flown by since Thanksgiving. “What about going back to school?”
    “You can return after the break.”
    Lily looked over at Jake. “What about Jake? He doesn’t have family or anywhere to go.”
    Gregory stood up. “Of course he does. He has us and he can stay right here with us for the holidays.”
    Lily lit up. “Really?”
    “Yes, really.”
    She threw her arms around her father’s neck. “Thanks, Daddy.”
    Jake shook Gregory’s hand when Lily finally let go and also thanked him.
    “You’re welcome. Now dig in and let’s get this place decorated.”
    They opened boxes