Page 4 of Sex, Lies, & Techy Guys (Love on the Sunshine Coast)

“Are you guys here on business or pleasure?”

“Business,” Kyle barks out.

“Not that we don’t have time for some pleasure while we’re here. We’re on the Sunshine Coast. Might as well learn what makes it so great.”

“Oh, it is. It’s a beautiful place. I can give you tips on things to do, places to go.”

“We’re pretty busy but thanks,” Kyle adds.

I should let my attraction go. Kyle and I vowed not to let a woman come between us way back in high school. But Penny might be the hill I choose to die on.

“What kind of business do you do?” she asks.

We’ve signed a stringent NDA so rather than come across as pricks, I say the first thing that comes to mind that would require Kyle to relent and let us spend time with Penny, “We’re travel writers.”

Kyle chokes on his lemonade and Penny hands him a napkin. Not my best impromptu move but we only have to fake it for a week.

“Travel writers? My brother failed to mention that.”

“We don’t talk a lot about our job.” I make a mental note to apologize to Zac for lying to his sister, and to beg him to run with it until our gig is over. This little white lie is nothing compared to the other stuff he might not think I should do to his sister.

“Thank you for coming to my bed and breakfast. I’m still getting it ready to fully open but now the pressure’s really on to please you.” She grimaces.

Now I choke on my lemonade. In a flurry, Penny picks up another napkin and extends it to me.

“Is the lemonade okay?”

“It’s fine,” we say in unison.

She worries her lower lip but continues, “I hope you enjoy my place. Are you used to luxurious hotels or do you always stay at small bed and breakfasts? Will you be writing Sunshine B&B up?” She’s breathing heavy, and it’s obvious she’s concerned.

“You don’t have anything to worry about.”

Kyle says, “We won’t be evaluating you.”

What fucking travel writer wouldn’t write about where they stayed? I kick Kyle and he glares at me then adds, “We don’t want to have a different experience from any other guest.”

He angles his head toward me as if requesting agreement but I’m caught on her gaze that seems to drop to his bicep then slowly carries back up until a flash of embarrassment crosses her expression.

“I’m new at this, but I’m trying to get it all right. If anything doesn’t meet your expectations, please tell me.”

I set my elbows on the bar, ball my fists, and rest my chin on them.

“You’re doing a great job.”

“I just want to make you happy.” She waves her hands as if shoving those words aside. “I just want to give you what you want. Oh, can you…” she reaches for a glass of water. “I want you to have a good time.” She takes another gulp.

“Well, I can’t say I’ve ever met a man who would turn down that series of offers.” I wink at her again, even though I know I shouldn’t.

Kyle is way better than me at holding back. I try to rein myself in.

“Just joking. The list of amenities you sent us was clear.”

Killing the mood, Kyle says, “You’ve provided us with beds and if you produce three meals a day as promised, I can’t imagine we’ll need anything else. Sometimes Lance oversteps.”

An awkward silence follows his words.

He jumps back in, “I won’t let him ask for anything you didn’t state was part of the package deal.”

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