This was a stupid idea. I’m frozen in place, standing outside the firehouse with a heaping plate of chocolate chunk cookies in hand. How did I imagine this was going to be anything less than awkward? Showing up with a plate full of cookies? No one does stuff like this anymore.

My baby blue capris are clean and crisp, but I can’t stop myself from running my palm over my leg, like I’m trying to smooth out wrinkles. I know I look cute. At least I tried to.

My outfit is flattering. I spent more time than I’d like to admit getting my hair to frame my face without just lying flat on my head. I’ve even got some makeup on, which is rare for me. I find that when I’m working with clay, it’s just not worth the effort to get my face all dolled up just so I can end up with grime streaked across my cheeks by the time I’m finished with what I like to call my “mudslinging.”

“Oh, hey there. Can I give you a hand with something?”

My head snaps up. A man with eyes the color of midnight and honey skin approaches me from the front door. His uniform almost looks too big on him, crinkling around his stomach and thighs. I realize it’s because he’s so scrawny. Damn, is he on some kind of oxygen only diet? He looks like he could use some of these cookies to fill him out a bit.

I bet he could still save you from a burning building. I tilt my head and realize that every guy in this building is probably in peak shape. I mean, they have to pass a grueling physical test to be firefighters, don’t they?

My face flushes with heat and it’s not because of how nerdy I am for bringing over cookies. It’s because it took me less than a second to make the same kind of snap judgment on this guy that I’ve been dealing with my whole life. I took one glance at the guy and figured I actually knew something about him just because of how his body looks. A cringe-worthy montage of moments plays in my head. Times when people figured they knew the first thing about me or wrote me off because of my jean size. I should know better.

“I, well, um…” I hold out the plate feebly. “I made these for you guys. I’m new here and wanted to introduce myself.”

“Well, that’s awfully nice of you.” He smiles and deep lines form around his mouth. “Come on inside, the guys will love these.” He sweeps his hand toward the door and I finally find the courage to walk toward it.

I follow the man inside and blink a few times as my eyes adjust from the bright, clear summer day to the inside lighting.

“Kelly! How’s it going?”

I turn as Zach slides over to us and peers down at the plate.

“Hey.” A genuine smile spreads over my face and I relax a little. I wasn’t sure if the guys would be here today. I mean, I was hoping, but it’s not like I know their schedule.

“Well, what have we got here? Those look amazing.” He grabs a couple and shoves them in his pocket. “I’ll scoop a couple of these for later, before the vultures swoop in here and steal them all.”

The man who met me outside leads me into the office area and I place my cookies down on the desk.

“I’m Grady,” he introduces himself and sticks out his hand at me. “I’m the fire chief here.” His dark eyes twinkle.

“I’m Kelly. I just took ownership of the place next door. I’m opening a pottery store there soon.” I shake his hand and am surprised by the strength in his grip.

“You know what? I’ll take one to Desi too.” Zach selects another couple of cookies from the batch and shoves one in his mouth and holds the other. “I don’t want him to miss out on these, so I’ll see that he gets it.” He flops the cookie back and forth as he talks with his mouth full.

Desi walks up behind him and plucks the cookie free from his hand. “Oh, buddy, thanks! I know you weren’t just gonna steal another cookie for yourself and pretend you were going to give it to me, right?” He takes a bite and raises his eyebrows. “Wow, this is delicious.”

“Me? Steal a cookie? You think I’m that desperate, Desi? Come on, give me a little credit, will ya?” Zach pretends to be offended, but the twinkle in his green eyes gives him away.

“Sure, would you like credit for all the times you’ve pilfered my suppers too? I swear you’re like a human raccoon, always getting your paws into everything.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Zach casually pulls one of the extra cookies he claimed from his pocket and munches on it.

“Figures.” Desi laughs. “Come on, Kelly, how about we give you a tour of the place before Ricky the Raccoon over here devours this entire plate?” He jerks his thumb at Zach.

“I’m offended, bro. Deeply,” Zach talks around the cookie in his mouth.

I can’t help but laugh. The way the guys play off each other cracks me up. All the tension I’ve been carrying inside melts away and I finally relax. It’s strange. I don’t know these men, I mean, not really. But being around them eases my nagging anxieties.

“I’d love a tour.” I smile up at them.