“Right this way.” He gestured toward the back corner, already dreading every second of this interaction.
Leading the way down the narrow aisle between shelving units, Jamie’s heart beat like crazy. Behind him, the customer’s boots thudded against the linoleum, each step a countdown to something Jamie didn’t want to face.
The reptile section occupied the back corner, as far from the cute and cuddly mammals as possible. Glass terrariums lined the wall, each one housing something with scales. Two corn snakes, a ball python, and—Jamie’s personal nightmare—a California kingsnake that Emma insisted was “totally docile and great for beginners.”
Jamie stopped a safe distance from the enclosures, gesturing vaguely. “Here they are. We’ve got care sheets at the front if you’re interested in learning about their requirements.”
“I know about requirements.” The customer moved past Jamie, getting right up against the glass. His breath fogged the surface as he studied the ball python inside. “Been handling reptiles for years. Just need to see the temperament on these before I decide.”
Oh no.
“Actually, store policy doesn’t allow us to remove animals from their enclosures for customers to handle.” Jamie kept his voice level, professional. “We can answer questions about behavior and—”
“What kind of pet store doesn’t let you handle the animals?” The guy straightened, turning to face Jamie fully. Up close, he was even bigger. At least six-two, maybe six-three, with shoulders that could knock down walls. “How am I supposed to know if I want to buy it if I can’t touch it?”
Jamie took a small step back, maintaining distance. “I understand, but we have strict guidelines. For the safety of the animals and—”
“The snake’s fine. I know how to handle them.” He spoke louder now, an edge creeping into his tone. “Open the tank.”
“I can’t do that.” Jamie took another step back, hands rising slightly in a defensive, placating gesture. The same gesture he’d made with William. “Store policy is—”
“Store policy is bullshit.” The customer moved closer, crowding Jamie against the shelving unit behind him. “You really gonna make this difficult over a goddamn snake?”
Heat drained from Jamie’s face. His hands started trembling, fingers curling into fists to hide the shake. Breath came faster, shallow gulps that didn’t seem to bring enough oxygen. The customer’s size, his anger, the way he loomed—all of it crashed into Jamie’s nervous system like a flashback he couldn’t escape.
William’s fingers digging into his bicep.
William’s hand around his throat.
William’s voice promising consequences.
“I—” The word stuck in his throat. Jamie flinched when the customer shifted, a full-body jerk that made him hate himself even as it happened.
“What’s the problem here?” Emma appeared at Jamie’s side, all five feet two inches of righteous fury packed into overalls and determination. She planted herself between them, chin lifted at an angle that would’ve been intimidating if she didn’t look like an angry pixie.
“Your coworker won’t let me inspect the merchandise,” the customer said, gesturing at the terrariums. “I’m trying to spend money here, and he’s giving me attitude about store policy.”
“You need to leave.” Emma’s tone could’ve stripped paint. “The animals aren’t merchandise. They’re living creatures. Store policy states we don’t have to serve customers who harass our staff.” She placed her hands on her hips, looking utterly ridiculous and completely fearless. “So you can leave, or I can call the cops. Your choice.”
For a second, nothing moved. The customer stared down at Emma, jaw working, hands flexing at his sides. Tension coiled through the air, thick enough to choke on.
Then his expression shifted into something uglier. “You really want to push this? Over a fucking snake?”
“I really want you to leave.” Emma pointed toward the front. “Now.”
“You little—”
Everything happened too fast.
The guy lunged forward, one hand shooting out. Emma tried to dodge, but he caught her shoulder, shoving hard. She stumbled backward, arms windmilling, crashing into a display of dog treats. The whole thing toppled, bags scattering across the floor as she went down.
“Hey!” Jamie moved without thinking, launching himself between the asshole and Emma. His hands came up, shoving at the guy’s torso. “Don’t touch her!”
Knuckles grazed the side of Jamie’s head, a glancing blow that still rattled his teeth and sent stars exploding across his vision. Pain bloomed hot and immediate, radiating from his temple down through his jaw.
“Jamie!” Emma scrambled to her feet, sprinting for the front counter. Her voice came from somewhere far away, muffled like he was underwater. “I’m calling the cops!”
The guy stood there, chest heaving, fist still clenched. For a second, Jamie thought he might come at him again. But then he seemed to register Emma’s threat, the phone pressed to her ear, the reality of the situation.
