Lilly's Garden

III. Datura

Zin spritzed a display of snapdragons. Mornings at Lilly's Garden were slow with only a handful of regulars: a mother buying daisies; and older gentleman examining sunflowers; a serious boy requesting a rose. Zin enjoyed her regulars.

The small bell on the door jingled. Zin turned towards the sound. "Welcome! Is there anything—"

Zin lost her voice. The man appeared oddly perplexed by the botanical assault on his senses. He scratched his stubbled jaw and affixed her with hazel eyes more green than brown. Matt's advice inadvertently flitted through her mind.

Until the man opened his mouth.

"This place was recommended to me."

Attraction shriveled like a grape left too long in the sun. "Oh, of course." The man grunted. "I'm assuming these are for a special someone?"

He nodded. Zin sighed. The urban legend struck again. It was the only reason Lilly's Garden was "recommended." "All right. Do you have any preferences?"

The man glanced at a row of orchids like they would bite. "I've never bought flowers before."

"Ah, so you're a flower virgin." A startled grin flashed a dimple at her. "In that case, I'll just fix you up with the usual."

"You have a 'usual'?"

"Unfortunately," Zin muttered. Her hand paused around the stem of a dahlia. Maybe she wasn't as amused by the "usual" joke. Maybe she was a bit more bitter towards romance than she thought. Her hand grasped an azalea instead. Camelias and anemones joined the bouquet. She tied them together with a red ribbon. "Here you are!"

He accepted the bouquet without hesitation. "Thank you. It's...pretty."

"It's more enjoyable your second go around."

A startled laugh followed him out the door. Zin's smile dropped. Guilt curdled in her gut. Her nana was likely turning over in her grave now.