“Don’t worry, Sis, I’ve got it. She does it every time.” Although Amanda has a good job, she doesn’t make anywhere near the money I do. I would feel guilty for making her pay half of the lunch bill. She tries to object, but of course I ignore that, whereas Rachel has no problem with letting her big sister pay. Actually, to be honest, she just assumes I will pay every time.

By the time I walk into the bar area, my sisters are sitting at a table, and there are three margaritas being placed in front of them.

“You didn’t waste any time.” Taking my seat, I grab my glass as we all lift them and clink them together.

“Right, now let’s really talk. What’s happening with you two?” Rachel sits back, her margarita in her hand and looking at both of us.

I want to reply with the words, “So much that you wouldn’t believe it,” but I don’t.

My family doesn’t even know I’ve moved in with Forrest, and of course, they don’t know about the resurgence of the shit involving Dad. So, I just sit here and look to Amanda, hoping she will start talking, and by the way she is bouncing in her seat, I can tell she has something to share.

“I couldn’t wait to see you both. And there was no way I was saying this in front of Mum, but I was putting the washing away two nights ago and I found a ring box at the back of Stephen’s sock drawer, wrapped inside a pair of socks he never wears. A big, beautiful, solitaire diamond ring.” She is almost jumping out of her skin in excitement and so are we for her.

“Holy shit, Sis!” Rachel jumps up to hug her.

“Oh, Amanda, I’m so happy for you.” I watch little tears streak down her cheeks as I reach over to hug her quickly too. I can’t not hug her at such an important time of her life.

“Wait, why were you at the back of the sock drawer looking inside a pair of socks he never wears?” I’m already laughing at her. “You were snooping, weren’t you?” I point at her like she’s in trouble. “You ruined your own surprise because you were nosy. Oh man, it’s always the quiet ones you need to watch.”