10 Overly Friendly (1/2)

Lyra was carrying a new pot of flowers out from the back room when she realized that a male customer was standing by the front admiring the newly imported flowers.

”Are you looking for anything in particular, sir?” the shop owner asked as she approached the man browsing with his hands in his pockets.

He gave a friendly smile and she returned it. ”Can I get a closer look at that?” he pointed a slender finger at the flower bouquet she arranged earlier for fun.

”It's not a full bouquet yet…” Lyra informed but he only nodded, expecting her to still bring it down.

Lyra had to tiptoe to reach for it but brought it down safely before presenting it to the man who took it in his hands first brushing against her smaller, softer ones. She retracted them politely.

He seemed more than pleased with the flowers, sniffing their scent and closing his eyes in appreciation.

”Are you buying them for a particular event?” Lyra asked, making conversation while ringing up the purchase.

The stranger shook his head. ”Just for decoration.”

”Excellent choice. Ranunculuses are very beautiful when they flower, so make sure to choose a vase with extra room around the top to accommodate for additional blooms.”

”You are attractive.”

Lyra looked up in surprise at the man who threw that statement out of the blues.

”Isn't that what the flower meaning is?” the man added.

”You'd be right,” Lyra answered with a smile before giving the bow one more tug and intentionally placing the bundle onto the table for the man to take.

”Why were you gone so long?” he asked unexpectedly.

”Hmm?” She could've sworn she never met him before.

”Fifteen days you weren't in the shop. Another girl was here instead,” he clarified. ”Where'd you go?” his tone sounded more demanding this time.

Lyra offered a meek smile. ”Just visiting a friend. Here's your bouquet, sir,” she directed her hands at the flowers sitting atop the counter.

”Is this how you normally give flowers to your customers? Don't you always pick it up and put it in their hands?”

The man was right. Lyra always handed them personally to the customer, but this one she was a little less friendly with. But since it would be rude to just slide it across the table, she smiled and picked it up to put in the hands of the customer.

As she expected, he grabbed onto her hands while taking the bouquet. Lyra tried pulling away but his grasp was tighter than she gave him credit for.

Seeing her struggle was interesting and the man wanted to watch her frantic expression a little longer if not for the sudden interruption.

”Let go,” an authoritative voice ordered.

”What you goin' to do 'bout it?” the troublesome customer said, rolling his sleeves to expose his arm full of tattoos before turning around.

The fierce look on the new figure's face made it blatantly obvious he did not intend to repeat his first and final warning. The weird man immediately obeyed after laying eyes on his opponent who was dressed in a fine Italian suit and wearing all brand name accessories. He then angrily grabbed the flowers, slammed the door loudly and stormed off onto the streets.

”All bark no bite,” the visitor commented contemptuously, removing his reflective aviator shades and revealing his glossy green eyes.

”I'd say he simply knows better who not to pick fights with,” Lyra crossed her arms.

Kurtis crossed his arms to mimic her pose. ”And I'd say he has lots more to learn if he had the guts to come bother Ms. Cades in broad daylight. Should I have someone stand guard for the next week or so?”

”That wouldn't be necessary, Mr. Wellington. I'm sure you scared him away plenty.”