Free Love Never Dies by Loren Lockner

I’m just more than a little distressed about her fascination with your story .”
    “It’s not a story, it’s the truth.”
    “Yeah, well. I think she wants me to exchange our souls or something. Look, I love Angie and all, but I’m not sure I want to die if she kicks off.”
    “No one can force you to do anything you don’t feel comfortable with.”
    “But I’m not like you Seth; so intense and determined about everything.” He paused and gazed at his friend who poked the healthy glowing fire. “You’re planning to do it with Julia aren’t you?”
    “It’s crossed my mind.”
    “Does she want to?”
    Seth straightened and shrugged. “I haven’t asked her, but I get the feeling she would.”
    “Shouldn’t you get married first or something?”
    Seth grinned. “You know Paul; marriage is second to exchanging your soul and one doesn’t depend on the other. Marriage is for others—the lawyers, the children, the parents. A soul mate, that’s just for the couple, no one else. Don’t worry about it Paul. You know I would never do anything Julia didn’t want.”
    “It’s just that you’ve become so close so quickly.”
    “That’s true.” Seth sighed. “You know Paul that I would never intentionally hurt your sister.”
    “But if you become soul mates and you die, what’s to become of her?”
    “It’s not going to happen. I take my vitamins every morning,” Seth quipped, but Paul didn’t laugh.
    “Don’t j oke around. She’s my twin sister you know. Sex is one thing, but this soul mate stuff is scary. I love Julia and just want what’s best for her. Please Seth; think long and hard before you make an irrevocable decision for her.”
    “You’re afraid I’ll leave her?”
    “No. I’m confident you wouldn’t do that. But everyone dies someday and Julia’s already involved beyond any chance of recovery.” He snorted and shook is brown head. “Listen to me, preaching to you like I’m some sort of paranoid minister. I’ll see you tonight around six then.”
    “We’ll be there.”
    “I hope you like clam chowder, because if you don’t you’re in big trouble. It’s a Christmas Eve tradition at our house; fresh sourdough bread and New England clam chowder. If you don’t like it, I’m warning you as a favor, just force it down. It’s only once a year after all—but its Grandma’s recipe and she doesn’t take kindly to dissenters.”
    Seth grinned again. “Warning noted and palate prepared. See you tonight.” Paul shrugged into his wool overcoat and disappeared through the door whistling a poor rendition of Joy to the World. Seth swung into action. He had only thirty minutes to prepare.
     
     
    Julia didn’t bother to knock, confident Seth would have left the door unlocked for her , and she entered the warm hallway and hung her coat. The condo was peacefully quiet and filled with holiday cheer. She and Angie, under the benevolent gazes of their football-watching boyfriends, had decorated the flat with wreaths, tinsel, and red velvet bows. Yesterday, Julia noted, the men had erected a five-foot tall tree and placed roughly thirty ornaments among its fir branches glistening with tinsel and dozens of multi-colored flashing lights. She’d brought a few old wooden ornaments carved as Santas, elves, and angels to finish off the tree.
    “Seth?” she called. When no reply was forthcoming she ventured further into the cheery condo.
    “Seth?”
    It was then she noticed the glowing fire and involuntarily moved toward it, passing the stately tree to gaze at the makeshift mattress placed before the hearth, rose petals adorning its snowy white sheets. Seth had spelled out the simple words ‘I love you,’ in red blossoms and her heart swelled. She noticed an ice decanter near the fire housing the telltale foiled neck of an expensive bottle of champagne. It might be only one p.m. in the afternoon, but Seth had planned his seduction well.
    “So you’re here,” murmured his rich