Liora’s POV
When Ezra said a woman could share the burden, and then looked at me like that, I felt it everywhere.
In my chest. In my throat. In the quiet space between us.
For one reckless second, I let myself believe he meant me.
The way his eyes held mine did not feel casual. It did not feel like a joke. It felt deliberate. Almost careful.
My heart thudded painfully.
But just as quickly, doubt crept in.
Maybe I was reading too much into it. Maybe I wanted it to mean something so badly that I was twisting his words into what I wished they were. He had not said my name. He had not made it clear. And I had embarrassed myself before by assuming too much.
So I pulled back before hope could grow teeth.
I forced a small smile and leaned back slightly, breaking the intensity before it s
