Benji appeared with a coffeepot in one hand and a jug of orange juice in the other, his apron already dotted with flour. Bastian followed with a tray of warm pastries that wafted butter and cinnamon my way. They moved around each other effortlessly, almost like they were dancing as they passed plates and napkins between them.
“Morning, Cody,” Bastian said with a smile. “Sleep well?”
“Like a log,” I lied, because I’d actually lain awake thinking about a certain bow-tied bookseller. “This place is amazing. Seriously, I know an editor who would love to feature you in her annual Boutique Hotels edition.”
Their faces lit up simultaneously.
“Really?” Bastian said. “That kind of PR is something money can’t buy.”
I smiled, their excitement instantly infectious. “Let me send her some pics and notes and we’ll see what she comes back with. But I already know it’ll be a yes.”
“If you’re taking photos, make sure you get my good side,” Benji said nervously as he topped up my coffee.
“Ignore him,” Bastian added, sliding the pastries in front of me. “Trust me, he only has good sides. You’ve sent him into a spiral of nerves is all.”
The pair of them smiled lovingly at one another, then stole a kiss.
I grinned, scribbling a line:“Even the innkeepers come as a matching set—the kind of couple that makes you wonder if they secretly rehearse how to be adorable in the mornings.”
They sat down with me after the last guests trickled out, Bastian unfolding a paper map with the care of a cartographer.
“You said you wanted to explore a little beyond town?” he asked.
It was something I’d mentioned when I first walked into the dining room that morning, confirmed by the sneakers on my feetand the small knapsack in my hand, packed and ready for a day of hiking.
“Yeah,” I said, pulling off a flaky piece of croissant. “Mulligan’s Mill is so charming, now I wanna see what’s beyond the town limits, stretch my legs a little. I wanna see what’s hiding off the beaten track.”
Benji leaned in, tapping the map with a fingertip. “Here’s the old mill. That’s how the town got its name. It’s been closed for decades, but the ruins are still standing. Kinda atmospheric, especially if you like that spooky-photograph vibe.”
“And if you keep following the river downstream,” Bastian added. “You’ll hit Rainbow Falls. Gorgeous in the afternoon light. You’ll hear it before you see it.”
“There are plenty of hiking trails too,” Benji said, tracing a line into the woods. “Some easy, and some that’ll make you wish you’d stayed in bed.”
“Word of advice, though,” Bastian cut in, voice light but eyes serious. “Keep an eye out for bears.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Bears? As in… the sexy kind who make great carrot cake? Or the scary kind that wanna rip your face off?”
“The scary kind, unfortunately,” Benji confirmed. “Black bears. Mostly they’ll avoid you. Just don’t surprise one or leave food out. They don’t come into town much, but out in the woods? You’ll wanna have your wits about you.”
I folded the map carefully, tucking it into my notebook. “Thanks. I think I’ll check out the mill first. Save the bear expedition for later.”
“Don’t let the bear thing scare you,” Benji said. “It’s our duty of care to warn you, but aren’t you Australians used to things that can kill you?”
“Snakes, yes. Sharks, yes. Crocodiles, yes. Spiders, yes. Jellyfish, yes. But bears? No. Especially not koala bears. They’re way too busy sleeping all day.”
Benji gave Bastian a panicked look before staring back at me. “Wait, you have jellyfish that can kill you?”
“Within seconds,” I said seriously. “One sting from an Irukandji jellyfish is fatal. The pain is so excruciating that people who get stung usually beg doctors to let them die. The kicker is, the little buggers are no bigger than your fingernail. You can’t even see them in the water. Most people don’t even know what stung them till it’s too late.”
Bastian’s face drained of color. “That’s… horrifying.”
Benji shuddered. “And people still swim in the ocean over there? Or even leave the house?”
“Of course,” I said, buttering another croissant. “You just learn to live with it. Besides, what’s life without a little mortal terror every time you step outside and go for a dip?”
They both stared at me, wide-eyed, frozen mid-sip of their coffee.
I grinned and gave them a wink. “Don’t worry, boys. If I see any Irukandji jellyfish out by your mill, I’ll be sure to give you a heads-up.”
