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He shakes his head. “You were doing a hell of a lot more than that.”

I don’t know what to say. But I feel it—deep in my bones.

Like something inside me just shifted. Grew.

For the first time, I didn’t freeze in front of the mic.

And even if no one hears it but the walls and Lucas… maybe that’s enough for now.

Maybe it’s just the beginning.

Lucas leans casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, his expression caught somewhere between amused and impressed. He’s wearing dark jeans and a Henley that looks like it came straight out of the handsome husband starter pack, and his presence, as always, radiates steady, solid comfort.

I smile and brush a piece of hair from my face. “You’re not allowed to sneak up on people in the middle of an impromptu emotional solo performance, you know.”

He grins. “You’re not allowed to sing like that and not expect someone to wander in.”

I huff a laugh, but it’s tinted with self-consciousness. “I didn’t even realize you were out here.”

“I was walking the property. Needed some air. Heard singing and…” He shrugs. “Had to see for myself.”

I tuck my hands into the sleeves of my hoodie and sit back on the stool.

Lucas steps in, letting the barn door swing closed behind him, soft light filtering in through the cracks in the boards. “You’ve got something special, Laney. That wasn’t just good. That was real.”

I try not to blush but probably fail. “Thanks. I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“You’re doing exactly what you should,” he says, voice quieter now. “And, hey… about tonight—the event. The Kidney Donation Chain kickoff…”

I look up, meeting his eyes.

He steps closer, resting his hand briefly on my shoulder. “Thank you. For all of it. Not just today. From the moment we met. You showed up at the hospital with that guitar and that shy smile, and Joey’s been obsessed with you ever since. So have we.”

The lump in my throat sneaks up on me, thick and sudden. I clear it with a small smile. “You’re welcome, Lucas. It’s meant a lot to me too. To be… part of this.”

“You are,” he says. “You always have been.”

There’s a beat. The kind where something else wants to be said.

He shifts his stance slightly. “So… why aren’t you in London for the show?”

I hesitate, then shrug lightly, eyes drifting to the mic. “Eddie never asked.”

Lucas frowns, his head tilting. “Huh.”

“What?”

“I mean… I love the guy. He’s like a brother. But sometimes he’s an idiot.”

That makes me laugh. “He’s busy. It’s fine. I’d rather be here.”

Lucas doesn’t call me on the lie but he knows it. I can see it in the way he lets the silence sit for a second longer than usual before nodding.

“Well,” he says, brightening a little, “If you’re not going to the show… will you sing one more for me?”

I blink. “You want me to—what?”

“Sing. One more. Come on, give a guy a private concert. I’m the supportive big brother, it’s in the job description.”