Page 34 of Belonging: KT & Lolo (Good Hope: The Next Generation #2)

A breath caught in his chest, not painful this time, just full.

“I’ll see you soon,” he murmured to no one and to her.

Then he locked the door and headed back to finish packing.

On Friday afternoon, Lolo sat in her father’s office, fingers lightly pressed together in her lap.

Instead of taking his usual spot behind the large mahogany desk, Scott had motioned her toward the casual sitting area near the window, a subtle signal that this meeting was meant to feel less like business, more like family.

“I’ve got good news,” he said, easing into the chair across from her. A slow smile spread across his face. “Malcolm loves your designs. He’s eager for you to meet with his team and get started.”

Lolo blinked. “Just like that? No changes?”

“There’ll be tweaks,” he said with a knowing lift of his brow. “Aren’t there always?”

“I can’t remember a time when there weren’t.” She laughed softly, the tension in her shoulders loosening a little. “Still…I’m surprised he decided so quickly.”

“You gave him exactly what he didn’t even know he was looking for.” Pride warmed his voice. “Those sketches? Some of your best work. I was impressed. Though not surprised. ”

Her throat tightened at the unexpected praise. “Thanks, Dad.”

He nodded. “Seems like the time away was good for you.”

“It was.” She settled back in her chair, mug cradled between her palms. “Good Hope, the quiet. KT. The space to reflect. It helped me reconnect—with myself, with my creativity.”

Scott leaned forward slightly, folding his hands. “I heard KT’s headed back to New York.”

She looked at him curiously. “Where’d you hear that?”

“Kyle,” he said, smiling faintly. “He’s not one for gossip, but I guess it came up. The cabin KT was staying in belongs to his brother-in-law, right?”

“Yeah.” Her smile turned wistful. “He has a few things to wrap up there—deadlines, meetings. And he wants to show his agent the work he created in Good Hope. He’s…incredibly talented.”

Her voice dipped slightly at the end. She’d seen every painting he’d finished—except the one. The one he’d been holding back.

Before she could dwell on that, her father’s tone shifted.

“There’s something else you should know.”

A ripple of unease worked up her spine. “Is it about KT?”

“No. No,” he said quickly, then gave her a sheepish look. “Sorry. That would’ve been my assumption, too. But actually…it’s Jared.”

Her jaw tightened. “I don’t want to talk about him.”

“I wouldn’t bring it up unless it mattered.” Scott’s face turned grim. “HR received a formal complaint of sexual harassment. One of the junior architects filed it. He’s been relieved of his duties pending the investigation.”

Lolo’s fingers tightened around the ceramic mug. “Wow.”

“I can’t say more right now,” he added quietly.

She didn’t need more. A sharp sense of vindication cut through her. Jared’s charm had always been polished to a shine, but she’d seen the cracks.

“Now,” her father said, exhaling, visibly shifting gears, “tell me about your week. How does it feel to be back? ”

Lolo offered a small, genuine smile. “Better than I expected. I’ve missed being here. The work is challenging, in the best way. And honestly, all that sketching in Good Hope—KT, everything—it sparked something in me. I feel…recharged.”

Scott studied her closely, waiting.

“I’ve also been doing a lot of thinking,” she continued. “And I’ve come up with a plan I think might work—for me and maybe for the company, too.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’d like to propose a remote-work arrangement,” she said, sitting a little straighter. “I’d come in when needed for client meetings, internal strategy, collaboration that can’t happen over Zoom. But most of the time, I’d work remotely.”

His expression remained unreadable, so she pressed on.

“I’ve researched it—employee retention, productivity, morale. And I think this model could benefit other employees, too, not just me. Carole in HR has been advocating for it for years.”

At the mention of Carole, his mouth quirked. “She has. Relentlessly.”

Lolo leaned in slightly. “Then maybe it’s time.”

Scott nodded slowly. “I’ll talk to her. And yes, this is something we can make work.”

Relief bloomed in her chest. “Thank you.”

“I’m proud of you, Lolo.”

“I’m happy the Stillwell project came through,” she said.

“I’m not talking about that.” He sat forward, his eyes steady on hers. “I’m proud of how you’ve handled everything. The break. The reflection. Taking time to figure out what you want and then having the guts to go after it.”

Her breath caught.

“You didn’t fall apart. You grew.”

Lolo smiled, emotion rising fast and full in her throat.

Maybe she didn’t have everything figured out. But she was getting closer .

And today, sitting in her father’s office, she could feel the ground beneath her feet again.

Solid. Steady. Hers.

Scott stood and crossed the small space between them. He rested a hand briefly on her shoulder, then gave it a squeeze. “Take the weekend. Enjoy it. You’ve earned it.”

She stood, too, meeting his gaze. “Thank you—for believing in me.”

“You didn’t give me a choice,” he said with a proud smile. “You showed me.”

As she left her father’s office, Lolo pulled the door gently closed behind her, the weight she’d been carrying for weeks finally beginning to lift.

In the outer office, Sloane glanced up from her computer, tension flickering in her eyes.

Their gazes met, and for a beat, neither spoke.

Then Lolo offered a small, steady smile, one that said, I’m okay. We’re okay.

Sloane nodded, relief softening her features.

Lolo continued toward the elevator, the sound of her heels quiet on the polished floor.

She didn’t have all the answers yet—not about the future, not even fully about herself.

But for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t looking outside herself for validation.

She was standing tall in her own skin.

And she was just getting started.