Bear Hugs and Palm Lines

My palms were sweating. Literally sweating. I wiped them on my jeans for the tenth time, convinced everyone at Sarah's party could see the nervous energy radiating off me like I was some kind of middle school poser who'd accidentally wandered into high school territory.

"You're the bear, right?" Maya appeared beside me, grinning. She was dressed as some glittery fairy thing, naturally gorgeous because that was just Maya's life.

"I'm a bear," I corrected, gesturing to my brown fuzzy ears. "Not *the* bear. There's a difference."

She laughed, and I felt that weird flutter in my chest that happened whenever she talked to me, which was pretty much never. "You look adorable. Come meet Liam."

Before I could protest, she dragged me across the crowded basement to where this guy sat cross-legged on a beanbag, looking like a total sphinx with those intense eyes and that mysterious half-smile. People were literally lined up like he was some kind of party oracle.

"This bear needs her palm read," Maya announced, shoving me forward.

Liam looked up, and suddenly his eyes were on me, and I forgot how to breathe. "Give me your hand."

I hesitated, then extended my trembling palm. His fingers were warm as he traced the lines, sending electricity up my arm that had nothing to do with whatever party trick this was.

"You're scared," he said softly, so only I could hear. "But you're also ready for something bigger."

I stared at him, completely caught off guard. How did this stranger in a sphinx costume just read me like an open book?

"Your life line shows you've been playing it safe," he continued, his eyes locked on mine. "But your heart line says you're about to take a risk. A big one."

He looked at Maya, then back at me, and suddenly I understood. The risk. The fear. The wanting.

"Your turn," I whispered to Maya, pulling my hand back but not moving away. "Get your palm read, fairy girl."

Liam winked at me, and something shifted inside my chest. Maybe this bear costume wasn't so ridiculous after all. Maybe tonight was the start of something real.