Page 52 of 10 Things I Hate About Zombies

‘Some,’ said Nick. ‘The trees are the view from my parents’ house growing up, and I have Lucy here on my forearm.’ He pressed two fingers to the stylised red Aussie on his arm. ‘But some are just things I like, or that make my heart happy in some way.’

His dark hair flopped as he angled his head in the way that Zoey had learned meant that he was going to suggest something she was absolutely going to say no to. ‘You and I should get a Frog and Toad.’

Zoey blinked. Matching tattoos? Wasn’t it too early for matching tattoos? But then, it was Portland. People got matching tattoos on their first date. Or if there was a two-for-one deal. Or just because it was a Tuesday and they were waiting for their cheap movie at the Bagdad Theater to start.

People did. But not Zoey. Zoey had never committed to a tattoo because she’d always been afraid that somehow she’d betray herself. Let herself down with a poor choice or something she’d regret. Adding a whole other person to this situation seemed even more fraught. What if it all went wrong, and for the rest of her life she’d look at her foolishness with regret?

‘I …’ That was as much as she could manage right now. ‘Maybe?’

‘It’s just ink, Zoey,’ said Nick gently. ‘But it’s also your body. You do whatever’s right for you.’

Zoey nodded, turning her attention to a woman in an ecru romper who’d just sidled up, a giant ribbon tied around her hair and a straw bag containing a silky terrier hanging from her wrist. She wore the sort of makeup that looked like no makeup, but that you knew had taken a solid hour of painting and contouring.

‘Good morning!’ chirped the woman in the tone that Zoey had come to expect from her typical smoothie clientele. She directed her attention to Nick, which … fair enough. It was hard not to. ‘Wow, I love these. Are you new? I feel like I’d remember you.’

Nick looked amused, although not necessarily surprised. Nor was Zoey. From her experience of being on Nick’s arm so far, he was quite the attention-grabber. The man was a tall, dark and handsome dog dad. It was impossible not to look.

‘The lovely Zoey here has a store on Belmont,’ explained Nick. ‘It’s on that cut-in corner opposite Pinballers and the coworking space.’

‘Right,’ chirruped the girl, gesticulating with very little concern for the poor pup in her bag. ‘And … you work there?’

‘I’m just the mushroom guy. She’s the brains of this operation.’ He picked up a bottle of Brain Freeze and presented it with a napkin and a straw in the manner of a sommelier proffering an expensive bottle of wine. ‘Would you be interested in trying our mushroom blend?’

The girl waved her phone at the Square reader, tipping generously. ‘I’ve also airdropped you my contact details … just in case you need to get in touch. Toodles!’

She popped the lid on her drink and sipped at it as she wandered off to explore the other vendor tents. She was examining some shimmery crystals when she jolted to a stop, rubbing at her eye.

‘The brain freeze strikes again,’ said Zoey with a chuckle.

Nick frowned as he hefted one of the bottles. ‘But these are barely chilled.’

‘It’s something about that particular recipe,’ she explained. ‘Hits you right in the frontal lobe. Terriffany loves it – she calls it retail theatre, says it’s what sets us apart.’

Nick frowned, like he was considering something.

‘Oh fuck,’ groaned Zoey, hiding behind a napkin. ‘It’s June and Nate the Hater.’

Nick set down the bottle, making sure the arrangement was tidy. ‘Nate the Hater? Damn, harsh words coming from Woe is Zo.’

Zoey folded her arms. ‘You’re lucky you’re so good-looking. And have a cute dog.’

‘I am lucky I have a cute dog.’ Nick stooped to give Alice a pat.

‘Hey, guys,’ said Zoey, as June and Nate rolled up, June the picture of zen and Nate the picture of, well, hate. Nate was in head-to-toe black as usual, with his hair slicked forward in its standard gelled point, and his feet stompy in motorcycle boots that had never touched a motorbike pedal. (Nate hated motorbikes.)

‘Hey, Zoey!’ purred June, in her musical influencer voice. ‘I’m so stoked to see you here.’

Nate grunted disagreeably.

‘Any word on Darina?’ asked Zoey. ‘I know she was a bit under the weather.’

June grimaced. ‘She’s been keeping her head down after the whole … incident. Although she left me this awful voicemail the other night. And rumour has it that she’s not vegan anymore, so there’s the whole ethical angle. Mind if I record?’

Before Zoey could respond, June pulled up TikTok on her phone and started recording. ‘Hi y’all, June Moon here. I’m at InkWell, the combination tattoo and wellness festival held at the Lloyd Center shopping mall in Portland, Oregon, and I’m going to be doing a yoga demonstration near the ice-skating rink in a few – hope to see you there! But first, I’m going to grab a brain-friendly, muscle-friendly smoothie from The Smoothie Maven. Talk about perfect for replenishing those all-essential vitamins and minerals. You can grab yours for twenty per cent off when you use code JUNEMOON.’

‘You can?’ Zoey had not approved any such thing.

‘Roll with me, babes,’ whispered June to Zoey. ‘I’m live-streaming, so don’t fuck it up.’