Love like music

Untitled Episode

**Chapter Three: A Voice Like Honey**

The dim glow of the bar’s neon sign flickered against the wet pavement as Micah Tyler stepped outside, the cool night air sharp against his skin. Beside him, Jake adjusted his jacket, shooting him a sideways glance.

“So,” Jake began, a smirk playing on his lips, “you really just *happened* to notice Lucia Mendez’s singing voice tonight?”

Micah shoved his hands into his pockets, keeping his gaze fixed ahead. “Yeah. That’s it.”

Jake chuckled, shaking his head. “Come on, man. You don’t just ask about a singer like that unless you’re interested.”

“I’m not,” Micah said, his voice flat. “I just thought she was good. That’s all.”

Jake studied him for a long moment before sighing. “Alright, fine. I’ll believe you—but only because I know you’ve been allergic to women ever since Natalie.”

Micah’s jaw tightened at the mention of her name, but he didn’t rise to it. Instead, he shrugged. “Some people just have voices that stick with you. Hers does.”

Jake nodded, though his expression was still skeptical. “Well, if you *were* interested, I’d tell you she’s not the type to mess around. She’s got this… sadness in her songs. Like she’s singing from somewhere deep, you know?”

Micah didn’t answer, but the words settled in his chest. He *had* heard it—the way her voice cracked just slightly on the high notes, the way her lyrics felt heavier than they should.

They walked in silence for a while, the distant hum of the city filling the space between them. Finally, Jake clapped him on the shoulder as they reached the corner where they’d part ways.

“Just be careful, man,” he said, his tone uncharacteristically serious. “Some voices are beautiful because they’ve known pain. And you’ve had enough of that.”

Micah gave a humorless smile. “Like I said, I’m just curious.”

Jake held up his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. But if you change your mind, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Micah standing beneath the pale glow of a streetlight. The echo of Lucia’s voice lingered in his mind, haunting and sweet.

And for the first time in a long time, he wondered if maybe—just maybe—he was lying to himself.