Velvet

Okay, the lizard in the worker's hands didn't look so bad. I leaned forward staring at the pattern of orange and brown on it's back.
"It's pretty soft too." He said with a smile running a finger down the lizard's back. "Usually pretty mellow, they don't jump much."
Hoping my hand wasn't shaking too much, I reached out mimicking the man's gesture, and smiled. 'It's nearly like velvet." I said in surprise. The skin on the lizard was soft. I'd been expecting rough edges that would catch on my fingers. "This...wouldn't be so bad."
I smiled at the creature and leaned closer to see, picturing Mia's surprise when she would get home.

Then the creature jumped.
Literally Jumped.
At me.
I screamed, darting back as the worker deftly caught the lizard before it had gone more than a few inches but it might as well have leapt for my throat!
"It's alright, they do that, but they don't bite." He reassured with a smile.
I held a hand briefly to my pounding heart, breathing quick and shallowly. Oh no. I would not go for something that could JUMP. "How about...next." I whispered while mentally banging my head against the nearest wall. Why did Mia have to be into Reptiles of all things?! It would be so much easier to buy an animal that didn't require bugs to eat!

-Inspiration from interacting with a customer this morning at work.