Free My Immortal by Wendi Zwaduk

stared at it for a full minute. Was this really her selfish baby sister on the other end of the line? The caller ID said so. Stevie replaced the device. “Is this my sister or is this an imposter?”
    Gypsy laughed. “It’s me. Look, people expect stupid things from me because I’m unpredictable. But you! You’re the smart one who plans things. You didn’t need his theatrics in your life. Plus, I wanted you to show me that you haven’t drifted into complacency. You and Storm belong together, like you’re cut from the same oddball cloth or something. You’re good together, no jokes or lies.”
    Stevie narrowed her eyes. Despite the positive vibe, something rubbed her wrong. Her sister didn’t have a kind bone in her body. “Why are you being so nice to me? This isn’t like you.”
    “Stevie, I screwed up this sister thing for too long. I know we’re opposites, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be sisters. I waited too long to realise that and I’m not letting another second go by without telling you I love having you for a big sister, even if you organise the hell out of fun.”
    Stevie grinned. A tear trickled down her cheek and she wiped it away with the sleeve of Storm’s shirt. “Thanks, Gypsy. I love you, too.”
    Gypsy snorted. “Enough greeting card lingo. I’m tired of being depressed. Let’s dish. Are you naked with him?”
    Stevie laughed out loud. “Yes and no. I’m wearing nothing but his shirt in his living room.” She sobered. “If I were naked with him , I wouldn’t be on the phone with you .”
    Static crackled as Gypsy shrieked again. “I knew it. Awesome. You finally loosened up. Now, does he have any hot private investigator buddies and can I have your apartment?”
    “You don’t waste time,” Stevie replied. “Now why are you upset? You don’t get depressed.”
    “It’s nothing. So, when’s the big day?”
    “You change topics too fast. What big day? ”
    “The wedding. Storm needs to snap your ass up, right now. Oh, and I insist on being the maid of honour. I assume you’ll go to Vegas and make it legal quick.”
    Stevie glanced at her left hand. No engagement band decorated her finger, although Gypsy’s idea did sound appetising. “I guess we’ll both have to find out. He hasn’t told me he loves me.”
    “He will. I can feel it, but you can’t rush him. You can’t rush any man, ever.” Gypsy paused again. More static crackled on the line. “Now on to more exciting topics. Me.”
    Stevie shook her head and curled her legs under her rump to get comfortable. At least she had her sister back in her life. Maybe Storm would pop the question. Maybe he wouldn’t. Still, she didn’t see him as a monster and certainly wanted to be a part of his life for the long haul, danger and all. A ripple of excitement and desire slithered down her spine.
    Yeah, she loved him. Now all she had to do was tell him the good news.
     

Chapter Eight
     
     
     
    The next night, Stevie smoothed the crinkles out of the flimsy paper placemat and shuffled the paperwork needed for the night’s meeting. The greasy scent of cooking bacon and eggs impeded her senses and made her stomach rumble. She rubbed her midsection to quiet the irritating sound and studied the diner. Strains of Vinnie Joel’s ‘Crash and Burn’ filtered through the air as background noise amidst the clinking of silverware and gentle conversation.
    She and Storm regularly met here to touch base with clients, and the simple establishment felt like a second office with an included cafeteria. White walls decorated in black and white photographs of people from the 1950’s eating at an unknown lunch counter surrounded the two dozen dark cherry, or maybe oak, booths. She wasn’t sure and didn’t care. Well worn, the Formica tabletop was faded in spots while permanent graffiti showed despite vigilant attempts at scrubbing it away.
    Stevie crossed her ankles and glanced at the heavyset, balding cook placing completed