Page 26 of Belonging: KT & Lolo (Good Hope: The Next Generation #2)

“I forgot how good this feels,” Lolo murmured, wiggling her toes in the sand. “Soft, warm, gritty…”

“Romantic,” KT supplied, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “Although we’re absolutely going to need another shower after this.”

“Was that a complaint or a suggestion?” she teased.

“Depends. Are you offering to share the soap again?”

Lolo laughed, her eyes sparkling as the breeze toyed with the hem of her sundress. “I might be open to that.”

They walked in companionable silence for a while, the kind that needed no filling. Seagulls wheeled above them, and a golden retriever bounded through the surf in the distance.

KT laced his fingers more tightly with hers. “This…feels good. Easy.”

She glanced over, her smile soft. “Yeah. It really does.”

When they reached a flat stretch of sand near the dunes, he paused and used his toe to draw a small heart.

Lolo tilted her head. “No initials?”

“I’m saving that for later,” he said, wrapping an arm around her waist. “When we’re ready to make it permanent.”

Her breath hitched—not because she wasn’t ready, but because the promise in his voice made her believe they’d get there.

Hand in hand, they turned back toward town, their sandy footprints trailing behind them, proof of something new and steady forming between each step.

As they walked, Lolo glanced at KT, her fingers still loosely laced with his. “I wish I’d brought my sketchbook.”

“You always say that,” he teased. “You should just start carrying one around like a wallet.”

She grinned. “Not a bad idea. There’s something about the water that always stirs something creative in me.”

He nodded, thoughtful. “Same. Though it’s not always water for me. Sometimes it’s trees, shadows, the way sunlight filters through leaves…”

“Forests and feelings. That sounds about right,” she said, bumping his hip playfully.

KT smiled. “Actually…there’s a place in the woods not far from here. I haven’t been there in years, but I remember it being quiet. Peaceful. Might be the perfect spot for sketching.”

Lolo’s brows lifted. “Are you asking me on a sketch date?”

“I believe I am,” he said, holding her gaze.

Her smile turned soft. “Then I accept.”

They climbed the stairs, brushing sand from their feet, and laughed when they realized they’d made the exact mess they’d joked about.

“We’re definitely going to need another shower,” KT said, brushing off his jeans.

“We might as well just keep a change of clothes at the bottom of the steps,” she said. “Or carry a garden hose with us.”

He reached for her hand again. “Or we could just stop fighting it and agree that every plan from now on ends with a shower.”

She gave him a sideways glance. “That’s dangerously close to commitment talk.”

He grinned. “Only the best kind.”

As they made their way back toward the car, Lolo felt her heart lift. Not just because of the sunlight or the breeze or the soft sand between her toes, but because of the way KT talked about that hidden place in the woods like he wanted her there with him.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s what made it feel like more than just a sketch date.

Lolo and KT held hands as they made their way to the car, their fingers laced, their steps in sync. Lolo couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this light. This steady. This happy.

When they reached the edge of the square, she turned to him, her eyes bright. “We can cut across here. It’ll be faster.”

KT gave her hand a squeeze. “Lead the way.”

They were nearly past the fountain when Lolo tugged him to a stop.

“What is it?” KT asked, his brows lifting in curiosity.

Lolo released his hand and nodded toward the statue. “Your chance to make a wish. The fountain is in desperate need of coins.”

He stepped closer, peering into the shallow basin. “There’s water, but not a single coin.”

“Eliza and I cleaned the fountain yesterday,” she said with a grin. “All the coins we collected from the past month will go toward the Fall Into Reading program at the library.”

“A worthy cause,” he said.

“I think so, too.” Her smile deepened. “Knowing the money’s going to something good made all that fishing around—and scrubbing—worth it.”

KT turned to her, mock astonishment in his voice. “So you’re responsible for the wishing drought in Good Hope?”

“The coins may be gone,” she said with a grin, “but don’t worry, wishes are still accepted.”

KT laughed. “Sounds like you kept busy while I was in Green Bay. Any other excitement?”

“I had Brynn and Zoe over. There was wine. There was chocolate. Possibly too much of both.”

“Sounds like trouble.” He smiled. “And fun.”

“It was.” Her lips curved. “I also spent time sketching. Making headway on Stillwell’s project. And…missing you.”

He stepped closer, his gaze steady on hers. “I missed you, too.”

His arms slid around her, and her breath caught at the tenderness in his expression. Her heart fluttered, and she anticipated the kiss that was surely coming?—

A child’s voice rang out nearby. “You can’t catch me!”

A winded mother hurried after the two small boys who darted past, giggling. She threw Lolo and KT an apologetic glance. “Sorry! Jace, Henry, stop running!”

KT dropped his arms with a wry smile. “Looks like kisses are on hold.”

Lolo reclaimed his hand. “Let’s go, then.”

But KT didn’t budge. “Wait.” He pulled a quarter from his pocket and held it up. “We’ve got wishes to make.”

“I already made mine,” she said. “I’m not about to get greedy. Gladys wouldn’t approve.”

KT chuckled and glanced at the bronze statue. “No, she wouldn’t. I’m also pretty sure she’d kick my butt if I walked away without making a wish.”

He closed his eyes briefly, then tossed the quarter into the water. It hit with a soft splash.

Lolo tilted her head. “Wish for something good?”

KT’s eyes met hers. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “Something real good.”

Then he reached for her hand again, and together, they turned toward the car that would take them into the woods.