Lilly's Garden

VI. Columbine

"Matt, he keeps coming back!"

The tattoo gun silenced. The guy in the chair immediately leaned away from the needle. Matt whirled on his stool and rolled to where Zin stood. "Who? That nutjob living in the apartment below you? I'll intimidate him for you."

"One, not him. Two, a chihuahua is more intimidating than you. Three, the guy I cursed!"

Matt hummed. He pointed at the paper sack in Zin's hand. "Is that from the burger joint down the block?" Matt gestured at his customer. "Have you tried their Monster Burger? You might feel like you're dying by the end of it, but man it's amazing."

"Matt!" Zin flapped the bag towards him. "I. Am. !"

Matt sighed and muttered a few words that had the guy relaxing into the chair. He kicked his stool into the corner and guided Zin to the shop's backroom. He pushed her onto a wobbling chair and sat on the edge of the small table. "All right. Let's get you calmed down."

Zin nodded and automatically mimicked Matt's deep breathes. Tension slowly bled from her. "Matt, he keeps coming back."

"Who?"

"The sabotaged bouquet guy!"

"Oh." Matt tilted his head towards the ceiling. "I mean, isn't that good business?"

"Not if I cursed him!"

"You know I was joking, right?"

"I've ruined that man's love life."

"Yeah, okay." Matt grabbed her shoulders and gave her a little shake. "Do you hear yourself? Have you even asked the guy what the flowers are for?"

"I can't just ask. There's an unspoken rule."

"You and your weird rules," Matt grumbled. "Fine, but at least talk to him. No one's ever had trouble spilling their romantic drama to you." Zin reluctantly nodded. "Good! Now let's eat! I need it to get through this guy's constant whining."