Page 8 of Belonging: KT & Lolo (Good Hope: The Next Generation #2)

CHAPTER SIX

Loud music and the tang of grease and beer hit KT the moment he stepped onto the weathered porch of the Ding-A-Ling. The bass thumped through the floorboards, vibrating beneath his boots, and laughter rose in uneven bursts, rowdy and sharp. This bar wasn’t his kind of place.

Too loud. Too chaotic.

Too much like the nights Clint Gourley, his mother’s boyfriend when he was fourteen, had come home drunk, stomping through their shack of a house, yelling at anyone who dared breathe in his direction. KT had long ago learned how to make himself small in those moments.

But Jake had asked him to stop by, and loyalty and a desire to see his friend ran deeper than discomfort.

He pushed open the swinging saloon-style doors, letting the noise swell around him. Neon signs blinked along the walls—beer logos, jukebox graphics, a flickering outline of a cowboy boot. Every table was full. The scent of nachos and fryer oil hung heavy in the air.

KT scanned the crowd until he spotted Jake at the bar, leaning on one elbow, halfway through a tall glass of beer.

He made his way through the packed room, threading between a table of college-aged kids and a group of off-duty firefighters, and slid onto the stool next to his friend.

“Hey,” KT said, raising a hand in greeting.

Jake turned with a grin. “I was starting to think you were bailing.”

“Nah.” KT nodded to the bartender, who looked up with a gruff grunt. “Coke.”

“Saturbrew & Bites night. Specials on craft beer.”

“I’ll stick with soda for now.” Beer had never held much appeal for KT, not after watching Clint down a twelve-pack every night and wreck himself and everything around him. “How’s your day been?”

Jake took another pull from his beer and exhaled hard. “Same as always. If Mitch would retire, get fired or fall into a hole, things might actually improve.”

KT snorted. “Still that bad?”

Jake’s expression darkened. “He acts like I’m an idiot. Won’t let me implement any of the designs I put together. Just keeps assigning me basic mowing schedules and cleanup crews.”

KT felt the familiar ripple of frustration on Jake’s behalf. Mitch Peskin, a supervisor at the parks department, had made his mother’s life a misery years ago—spreading lies, whispering judgment. Now, here he was, still screwing people over. Some things never changed.

“You should go into business for yourself,” KT said. “You’ve got the talent. The eye.”

Jake didn’t wave it off this time. Instead, he stared into his beer, contemplative. “I’ve been thinking about it. I mean, how long can I keep grinding away under someone like him?”

“There are business loans. You’ve got a solid reputation. You’d have support.”

“Still a big leap.” Jake’s gaze flicked to the rowdy crowd. “Start-ups cost money.”

“Hey, Jake!” The warm voice cut through the music.

They both turned as a petite woman with caramel-highlighted brown hair approached. She wore a breezy tank top, jeans and a confident smile.

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” she said.

Jake chuckled. “It’s Saturday night. Where else would I be?”

The woman didn’t wait for an introduction. “I’m Daisy Fitz. I’ve seen you around, I think.”

“KT Slattery.” He smiled. “Jake and I go way back.”

“I’m sorry.” Daisy grinned, clearly teasing, and KT laughed along with Jake’s mock outrage.

“Ignore her sass,” Jake said. “Daisy’s a miracle worker. Best massage therapist in Door County.”

Daisy pulled a card from the delicate chain-strap purse on her shoulder and handed it over. “If your shoulders ever need saving, I’m your girl.”

KT glanced at the card. “Golden Door. You work with Marigold Rallis?”

“Sure do. She’s the best at hair, but massage is my lane.”

“Appreciate it.” KT tucked the card into his wallet. “If I need your help, I’ll give you a call.”

Before Daisy could reply, her gaze lifted over KT’s shoulder, expression brightening. “Zoe’s here! I wasn’t sure she’d make it. Not sure who that is with her, though.”

Jake turned to follow her gaze. “No idea.”

KT didn’t need to look. He already knew.

He stood, heart rate ticking up a notch as he turned toward the door.

Of all the places to run into Lolo again, the Ding-A-Ling wouldn’t have cracked the top hundred .

Yet, there she was.

The second Lolo stepped into the Ding-A-Ling, she wondered if she’d made a mistake.

The place was loud. Really loud.

Country music spilled from the speakers, colliding with bursts of laughter, clinking glasses and the low hum of overlapping conversations. The air smelled like spicy meat, bar food and beer.

She hesitated just inside the saloon doors, taking in the knotty pine walls, flashing neon signs and a crowd that looked more rowdy than relaxed.

Zoe leaned in beside her. “We don’t have to stay long.”

Lolo nodded toward a chalkboard mounted above the bar. “Saturbrew & Bites?”

“You haven’t lived until you’ve tried the Brew Bites Trio,” Zoe said with a grin. “Cheese curds, potato skins and jalapeno poppers. Artery-clogging perfection.”

Zoe was mid-description—something about dipping sauces—when Lolo saw him and stopped in her tracks.

KT.

He stood near the bar, what looked like a soda in one hand, talking to a man Lolo didn’t recognize. A petite brunette beside them laughed at something he’d said, clearly enjoying herself.

Lolo hadn’t expected the jolt that zipped through her.

KT wore jeans and a worn graphic tee that clung to his broad shoulders. His hair was slightly tousled, his stance easy, but there was something quietly alert behind his eyes. Like he was always watching. Always taking the world in, one detail at a time.

He looked good. Too good.

Zoe followed her gaze. “That guy looks familiar.”

Lolo nodded. “That’s KT Slattery.”

Zoe’s eyes widened. “ The KT Slattery? Wildly talented, famously elusive, once-in-a-generation KT Slattery?”

“The very one.”

As if he’d sensed her staring, KT turned. Their eyes locked.

His smile was slow. Familiar. A little too charming.

Lolo’s stomach gave a traitorous flutter.

He stepped away from the bar and started toward them.

“Brace yourself,” she murmured to Zoe, lifting her chin. “Here he comes.”

Zoe blinked. “Should I go get a table?”

“No. Stay.”

By the time KT reached them, he was already speaking.

“Lolo Kendrick,” he said, that signature smile tugging at his lips. “Decided to skip the ice cream tonight, I see.”

Lolo smiled. “I’m planning to indulge when I get home.”

KT’s gaze lingered on her—on her pinned curls, the bare skin at her collarbone, the curve of her mouth.

“I’m glad to hear it,” he said softly.

Behind her, Zoe cleared her throat and extended a hand. “Zoe Goodhue. I think we met years ago.”

“I remember.” He offered a warm smile. “Weren’t you living in the South somewhere?”

“Texas, but I’m back in Good Hope temporarily…permanently—who can say for sure?” Zoe accompanied the words with a wave of an airy hand. “Lolo and I are meeting friends. We’d love for you to join us.”

KT cast a quick glance at the bar. “I’d like that, but I’m here with Jake?—”

“Jake and Daisy are the friends we’re meeting,” Zoe said brightly before he could finish.

“Well, then,” KT turned to Lolo, “if it’s okay with you…”

She rolled her eyes, but she knew the smile tugging at her lips gave her away.

Somehow, against all odds, this noisy, crowded, slightly sticky bar suddenly felt warmer. Brighter.

Just because he was in it.

“You know,” she said as they started walking, “I wouldn’t have pegged you as a Saturbrew & Bites guy. ”

KT grinned. “Wouldn’t have pegged you as a Ding-A-Ling kind of gal.”

“Touché.”

Beside her, Zoe gave a theatrical sigh. “You two want a table, or should we keep having this moment in the middle of the bar?”

“Let’s get a table.” Lolo gestured to Zoe. “Lead the way.”

Zoe waved to Daisy and Jake, then pointed toward an empty high-top tucked near the back wall.

As they wove through the crowd, KT fell into step beside Lolo. Their arms brushed once, then again—only light contact, but enough to send a flicker of awareness through her.

“I’m glad you came tonight,” he said under his breath.

“So am I,” she replied.

Jake and Daisy had already reached the table. Jake raised his glass in greeting. Daisy hurried to hug Zoe, then turned to Lolo with a bright smile.

As the women launched into conversation, Jake leaned toward KT. “So, uh…you and Lolo?”

KT took a sip of his Coke, eyes drifting toward where Lolo sat, laughing freely.

“She’s my neighbor,” he said. “And a friend.”

Jake gave a knowing whistle. “Right. Well…good luck with that.”

KT just smiled, knowing sometimes a guy didn’t need luck. He just needed the right timing.

“I can’t believe how busy this place is.” Once they were seated, Lolo let her gaze sweep the seating area. A couple of open tables dotted the edges, but the bar was packed—every stool taken, voices rising above the country music and clinking glasses.

“Never underestimate the power of Saturbrew & Bites,” Zoe said, sounding both amused and sincere.

“Since this is my first time here, I’ll have to take your word for it.”

“What you’ll have to do is share a Brew Bites Trio with me.” Zoe paused. “Or maybe we should get a platter for the table.”

“I’m not that hungry—” Lolo began.

“You’re not doing the low-carb thing, are you?” Zoe looked horrified by the thought.

Lolo laughed and shook her head. “Bring on the carbs.”

Fifteen minutes later, it became clear just how much food Zoe had ordered when the Brew Crew Platter arrived—a mountain of golden appetizers that could’ve easily fed six.

Lolo realized she should have mentioned she’d already eaten dinner.

To her credit, Daisy launched into the platter like it was a competition. Zoe wasn’t far behind. Jake made a dent in the potato skins, and KT, after sampling a few bites, leaned back with his second Coke. Lolo nibbled at a cheese curd and called it good.

“Poppers not your thing?” KT asked, his eyes amused as he tipped his glass to his lips.