Page 11 of Belonging: KT & Lolo (Good Hope: The Next Generation #2)

“I haven’t opened my laptop once since I finished those last two assignments.” She took another sip of water. “I told myself being here was about carving out time to think about the Stillwell project. But like I said before, it’s not just about work.”

KT didn’t interrupt, didn’t push. Just waited.

“Jared and I work together. He’s smart, respected and driven. Everyone said we made a great team.”

“But?” KT asked gently.

“But he cheated.” Her voice didn’t crack, but it was close. “The worst part was I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t even feel it. Like…I didn’t miss him when we weren’t together. Not the way you should miss someone you care about.”

KT was quiet for a moment. “That’s not on you, Lolo.”

“I thought we were friends. That we had mutual respect, shared ambition.” She looked down, twisting the cap of her water bottle. “Now I wonder if maybe he was more interested in my last name than me.”

“That’s a heavy thing to carry.”

She glanced up. “You think I’m overreacting? ”

“I think you’re processing betrayal and questioning your instincts. That’s not overreacting—it’s surviving.”

Lolo let out a breath. “I used to trust my gut. I was proud of that. Now I feel like I can’t tell what’s real and what’s…strategic. People look at me and see a Kendrick. Not me, not Lolo.”

KT leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “I see someone who keeps showing up. Who’s honest. Who has opinions and fire and talent. Your name might open a door, but it doesn’t walk through it for you.”

That undid her a little. She smiled, shaky but real. “Thank you.”

He tipped his head. “I mean it.”

For a moment, the only sound was the soft tick of the clock on the mantel.

Lolo broke the silence. “When you said earlier that your work was starting to speak more to your wallet than your soul…”

“Yeah?”

She looked at him. “I get it.”

Their eyes held, the air between them charged but gentle.

And Lolo realized that maybe this was what healing looked like. Not some big declaration or sweeping revelation. Just small moments of truth and someone beside you who was willing to listen.

KT leaned back, but his gaze never left hers. “It’s hard, isn’t it? When what you built starts to feel like it owns you more than you own it.”

She nodded slowly. “Exactly. I don’t want to give up what I’ve worked for, but I also don’t want to wake up in ten years and realize I built the wrong life.”

He studied her, his expression thoughtful. “You won’t.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because you’re asking the right questions,” he said softly. “That’s more than most people do.”

Lolo’s throat tightened. She looked down at the ridges of the water bottle in her hands, then up again. “You make it sound so simple.”

“It’s not.” He gave a half smile. “But maybe it doesn’t have to be as hard as we make it.”

They sat in the hush that followed, the kind of silence that felt earned. Then Lolo reached for the throw blanket folded over the arm of the couch and tugged it over her legs.

“It’s getting late,” she said, her voice lower, almost hesitant.

KT didn’t move.

“But I’m not quite ready for you to go,” she added quietly, looking at him through her lashes.

His eyes softened. “Then I’ll stay a little longer.”

She shifted, leaving just enough space beside her. An unspoken invitation.

KT moved closer, the cushion dipping beneath his weight. Their shoulders brushed, then stayed. She leaned into him—just a little—and he lifted his arm, making room. She fit there like it had always been meant to be.

Her head found his shoulder.

His hand found hers.

Neither said anything.

Outside, the wind stirred the branches. Inside, everything slowed.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Lolo’s thoughts stopped racing.

With him beside her, her heartbeat didn’t gallop. It settled.

When she finally spoke, her voice was nearly a whisper.

“I didn’t expect you.”

KT turned his head slightly, enough to brush his lips against her temple.

“Me neither.”

Several minutes later, KT rose slowly, brushing his palms on his jeans. “I should probably let you get some sleep.”

Lolo stood, too, the blanket slipping from her lap. “Right. Big day of relaxing and not being a corporate pawn tomorrow. ”

That earned a smile from him—sleepy, crooked, sincere.

She walked him to the door, the quiet of the cabin wrapping around them like a held breath. He reached for the handle, but didn’t turn it right away.

“Thanks for tonight,” he said. “For trusting me with all of that.”

Lolo hesitated, heart rate kicking up as she looked up into his face—familiar, kind, a little tired but no less magnetic.

“I didn’t plan to say all that,” she murmured. “It just…came out.”

His gaze searched hers. “I’m glad it did.”

This was it.

This was the moment.

Before she could second-guess it—before she could talk herself out of it—Lolo rose onto her toes, cupped the side of his jaw and kissed him.

It wasn’t a long kiss. It wasn’t showy or dramatic.

But it was sure.

Soft and certain and steady.

KT didn’t move at first—surprised, maybe—but then he kissed her back, one hand rising instinctively to her waist, anchoring them both.

When they finally pulled apart, it was only by an inch.

His forehead touched hers. “I wasn’t going to rush you.”

“I know.” Her lips curved. “But maybe I’m done waiting.”

He exhaled a quiet laugh, the kind that said he wasn’t quite ready to let go yet.

“Sleep well, Lolo.”

“You too, Kaiden.”

This time, when he stepped out into the night, the door clicked shut behind him with the promise of more.