Love like music

The keys

**Chapter Eleven:The keys***



The morning sun streamed through the large windows of Micah Tyler’s kitchen, casting a warm glow over the breakfast table. Lucia Mendez sat across from him, carefully spreading jam on a piece of toast. It was her first proper meal since being discharged from the hospital the day before, and though her leg was still in a cast, propped up on a nearby chair, she looked more at ease than she had in days. 



Micah watched her for a moment, a quiet gratitude settling in his chest. A week ago, he had been the reason she was in that hospital bed, the reason her Friday night gig had been ruined, the reason her band had played without their lead singer. The guilt had gnawed at him relentlessly, but Lucia had surprised him. She had forgiven him—not immediately, not easily, but sincerely. And now, here she was, in his home, trusting him to take care of her. 



Ana, her sister, had returned to school, leaving Lucia with no one to help her through her recovery. Micah hadn’t hesitated to offer his house. He had the space, the resources, and—though he hadn’t admitted it out loud—the desire to make things right. 



Lucia took a sip of her coffee and smiled. “This is nice,” she said softly. 



Micah nodded. “Yeah, it is.” 



Before he could say more, there was a knock at the door. One of the maids answered, and a moment later, Jake walked into the dining room. His eyes widened when he saw Lucia sitting there. 



“Oh,” he said, blinking in surprise. “I didn’t know you had company.” 



Micah cleared his throat. “Jake, this is Lucia. Lucia, this is Jake, my best friend.” 



Lucia offered a polite smile. “Hi.” 



Jake recovered quickly, flashing her a charming grin. “Nice to meet you. I heard about the accident—glad you’re doing better.” 



“Thanks,” she said, though her gaze flickered briefly to Micah. 



Jake shifted awkwardly before gesturing to the kitchen. “Mic, can I talk to you for a sec?” 



Micah excused himself, following Jake into the other room. The moment they were out of earshot, Jake turned to him, eyebrows raised. 



“You didn’t tell me you were bringing her home.” 



Micah crossed his arms. “She doesn’t have anyone to take care of her.” 



“You could’ve paid someone to do that,” Jake pointed out. 



Micah was silent. 



Jake smirked. “I knew it.” 



“Knew what?” 



“You’ve got a thing for her.” 



Micah opened his mouth to deny it, but the words stuck in his throat. 



Jake chuckled. “It’s not a bad thing, man. In fact, it’s about time you got over Emma. It’s been almost two years.” 



Micah exhaled, running a hand through his hair. He hadn’t expected Jake to call him out so bluntly, but he couldn’t bring himself to argue. The truth was, he *had* been thinking about Lucia more than he should. The way her voice had captivated him the first time he heard her sing. The way she had looked at him in the hospital, not with hatred, but with quiet understanding. The way she made him feel something he hadn’t felt in a long time. 



“Yeah,” he finally admitted. “Maybe it is.” 



Jake clapped him on the shoulder. “Good. Now let’s get back before she thinks we’re plotting something.” 



When they returned to the table, Jake made an effort to keep the conversation light, asking Lucia about her music and her band. She answered warmly, and though Micah stayed quiet, he found himself watching her—the way her eyes lit up when she talked about singing, the way her fingers tapped rhythmically against the table, as if she could hear a song playing in her head. 



After breakfast, Jake left with a promise to visit again soon. Lucia wheeled herself to the living room, where a grand piano stood near the window. Without hesitation, she lifted the cover and let her fingers dance across the keys. A soft, melancholic melody filled the air. 



Micah lingered in the doorway, listening. It wasn’t just the music that struck him—it was the way she played, with such emotion, as if every note carried a piece of her soul. 



For the first time in a long time, the memory of Emma playing beside him didn’t hurt as much. The sharp edges of that loss had dulled, replaced by something new, something fragile but growing. 



Lucia glanced over her shoulder, catching him staring. “You okay?” she asked. 



He stepped closer. “Yeah. Just thinking.” 



“About?” 



He hesitated, then smiled. “I’m glad the accident happened.” 



She frowned. “What?” 



He shook his head. “Nothing.” 



But it wasn’t nothing. It was everything. 



As he turned to head upstairs, he heard her resume playing, the music wrapping around him like an embrace. And for the first time in two years, his heart didn’t feel so heavy. 



Maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something beautiful.