LIORA'S POV;
The living room was abuzz with chatter and laughter as we joined the others. I noticed Becky had opened the wine I brought, and she was pouring glasses for everyone. Max caught sight of Liora and grinned, walking over to her with an easy familiarity that made my stomach churn.
"Liora, there you are! We were starting to wonder if you’d vanished," Max teased, his tone light.
Liora smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Just finishing up in the kitchen."
"Ronan was helping," she added, and I could feel her glance at me from the corner of her eye, as if seeking my approval for her half-truth. It was almost like she was protecting our moment, preserving it from scrutiny.