Watch for the laugh that doesn’t reach the eyes. It’s usually covering something.

People learn early how to make the right sound at the right time. A laugh can arrive exactly on cue while the face above it stays still, and that gap is usually someone managing something they do not want to explain yet. It is not a lie. It is a cover, and covers exist because the thing underneath feels unsafe to set down in front of a crowd.

If you notice it, do not announce it to the group. Find them later, ask something small and easy, then leave room for a real answer or for no answer at all.