Her cell phone rang suddenly, startling her as she knocked over her company coffee mug and papers went flying. On the third ring she picked up. "H-hello she said shakily, not bothering to read the id. "You'll never believe it, Amy!" Her sister's voice boomed out. Amy winced; Shelley had a habit of squealing at unreasonable pitches. "WE'RE ENGAGED! I have a HUGE shiny rock on my finger! This is the happiest moment of my life!" Amy froze feeling a wave of jealousy overcome her. True, she wasn't fond of the hoopla over diamond engagement rings but she felt just a bit sad. This was the second of her sisters to marry and it left her alone in the family. When everyone has someone but you it is a terribly awkward thing for both parties. Married relatives would try to censor themselves in front of her, and maybe try to cheer her up or do some match-making all with pure intentions but she couldn't abide it. "A woman needs a man as much as a fish needs a bicycle," Some well-meaning aunt or cousin might say. But if that were true, why is it that the messenger of that piece of advice is usually married? A woman may not need a man, but she might want one. She didn't need a man. But it might be nice. Well, it would be nice, she thought wistfully as she listened to Shelley recount the proposal story. They'd spent the weekend at a house over a lake upstate and he'd gotten down on one knee and told her how much he'd loved her, it was so romantic, don't you think, Amy? Just like we dreamed when we were kids, talking about proposals and weddings. Shelley rattled on about her plans (typical ceremony at a church with the family all there, reception in a hotel ballroom) She'd have three bridesmaids, sadly Amy wasn't one of them because they couldn't come up with a date for her. "You don't mind though, right, Amy? You always said you'd hate to be a bridesmaid." No she hadn't, but now she was considering it. "Anyhow, I've got to get to work, maybe squeeze in time to look at flowers. Bye!" She hung up. Amy sighed, dialing a number from memory.

"Hi, it's me, the girl from the bookstore? You want to bump into each other Wednesday at six?"