Page 20 of Belonging: KT & Lolo (Good Hope: The Next Generation #2)

She claimed a two-top by the window, the slant of golden light turning her paper cup into a glowing halo. As she broke off a corner of her blueberry scone, a voice behind her made her smile before she even turned.

“Is this seat taken?”

She glanced up to find Daisy, bright-eyed and hopeful.

Lolo gestured to the chair across from her, a playful lilt in her voice. “I was saving it for someone interesting.”

“Perfect,” Daisy said, settling in with a chocolate-frosted doughnut. “I love when fate works in my favor.” She looked pointedly at Lolo’s running gear. “I especially love when the person I sit with is already doing the work to offset my choices.”

Lolo smirked. “I didn’t run far enough to cancel out that doughnut.”

“I did.” Daisy took a dramatic bite, chewing with exaggerated bliss. “Emotionally, I ran a marathon this week. I earned this.”

They both laughed, the kind of laughter that settled into your bones.

Conversation flowed easily—Sunday plans, favorite running trails, Zoe’s experimental coffee drinks that sounded both questionable and brilliant. Lolo’s scone disappeared. So did Daisy’s doughnut.

Eventually, Daisy leaned back and sipped her latte. “You going to the Skyway tonight?”

Lolo blinked. “That’s the outdoor theater off the highway, right?”

“That’s the one.” Daisy’s eyes danced. “They’re playing Young Frankenstein . I like to bring a lawn chair and sit on the grass. Way better than staying in the car.”

Lolo hesitated. “KT and I talked about hanging out tonight. His brother Braxton’s in town.”

Daisy raised a brow, inviting more.

“Nothing firm,” Lolo admitted. “But if it’s okay with you—and they’re up for it—it sounds kind of perfect.”

“Bring them,” Daisy said with a grin. “I don’t know Braxton, but I trust your taste in company.”

“They’re grabbing breakfast after church. I’ll check in with them and text you by noon?”

“Works for me.” Daisy lifted her cup in a mock toast. “Manifesting good company and excellent movie weather.”

Lolo touched her cup against Daisy’s. “To Sundays that surprise you.”

At his grandparents’ home, KT paused in the living room, his gaze drawn to the painting he’d gifted them for their last anniversary.

It hung in a place of quiet honor, catching the light just so.

He took a step back, absorbing it—not as the artist, but as a grandson.

Deep blues and soft aquamarines flowed together, gold streaks catching the afternoon sun like light breaking over water.

The brushstrokes whispered of motion and memory, the faintest silhouettes of reeds swaying in the wind, like the echo of a shoreline that lived only in recollection.

It wasn’t just a painting.

It was home .

Beside him, Braxton rocked back on his heels, arms folded loosely, gaze steady. “I love it, but then again, I’ve loved everything you’ve ever done.”

KT’s chest warmed. Coming from anyone else, it would have been a compliment. From Braxton, it was something more. Something solid.

They stood in easy silence, the low sounds of Grandma Anita and Len’s familiar bickering drifting in from the kitchen. Pots clinked, drawers opened and shut, a timer dinged.

Finally, Braxton spoke again, quieter this time. “I can see why you don’t want to go back to all that corporate noise.”

KT exhaled slowly. “It’s not that the work’s bad. The money’s good. Some of the projects were cool. But I took too much on without a break in between. Burned myself out.”

Braxton nodded. “At least Lolo gets it.”

“She does,” KT said, the hint of a smile curving his lips. “She made her pitch for Stillwell, but when I said no, she let it be. She respects my decision.”

Braxton’s eyes dropped to the floor. “At least you’re doing better with women than I am.”

KT glanced over, surprised. “Mara?”

A beat of silence passed .

“We broke up,” Braxton said, voice low. “That’s why I’m here. I needed to get out of the city. Reset.”

KT’s brow furrowed. “What happened?”

“I thought I knew her.” Braxton’s mouth twisted. “Turns out, I didn’t know her at all.”

He started to pace, agitation in his movements. KT let him, until Braxton stopped near the fireplace, staring at the painting again.

KT crossed over, catching his sleeve. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“No, it’s not that. I just feel dumb.” Braxton let out a breath. “I should’ve seen it coming.”

“You’re not dumb,” KT said firmly.

A humorless chuckle escaped Braxton. “Maybe not usually. But this time…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “We matched on an app. She worked in a similar field, and I thought, hey, someone who gets it . We started slow. Once a week. That felt good. Easy.”

KT nodded, waiting.

“Then she mentioned she’d always wanted to work at Sproket. Said getting a referral would guarantee an interview. Asked if I’d put in a good word.”

KT’s expression didn’t change, though something tightened in his chest.

Braxton gave a short nod. “I did. She got the first interview, but didn’t make it to round two. Three days later, she ghosted me.”

KT winced. “I’m sorry.”

Braxton’s smile was grim. “Maybe it wasn’t just about the job. Maybe it wouldn’t have worked out anyway. But it sucks. Not because she left, but because I let myself believe it was something it wasn’t.”

KT clapped a hand on his brother’s back. “That’s on her, not you. ”

Braxton didn’t answer, but his shoulders loosened slightly. The silence between them was familiar again. Comfortable.

Then KT’s phone buzzed.

Lolo.

He glanced at the screen, a smile tugging at his lips as he read her text.

He looked back at Braxton. “Feel like going to the movies tonight?”

Braxton raised a brow. “What’s playing?”

“ Young Frankenstein . Outdoor screening. Blankets-and-lawn-chairs kind of night.”

Braxton smirked. “Are we going because it’s a good movie or because a certain someone asked?”

KT didn’t answer right away.

But his smile deepened.

And that was answer enough.