The fourth man moved toward a counter. "Connor. You want coffee? It's firefighter strong. You've been warned." He laughed.
"Coffee would be great," I responded, relaxing a bit at their welcome.
After the initial introductions, I took in the details of the space. A bulletin board on the far wall had photos, as well as other legal-looking documents. A box of donuts sat on the counter. The place had a comfortable vibe, considering this was a second home to the firefighters.
Dane crossed his arms. "What brings you to our humble abode? Besides my irresistible charm."
I rolled my eyes playfully and smiled. "Actually, I'm here to thank Lieutenant Crawford. I was a bit distracted the other day after nearly dying.
The men exchanged looks. "Blaze is in with the chief. A budget meeting."
"Blaze?" I asked, accepting the coffee.
"Lieutenant Crawford, it's his call sign. Been with him since the academy," Evan clarified.
"Fits him. The man's intense as hell," Dane added with a smirk.
Something in Dane's tone had me wondering if there was more to the nickname, but I didn't press. Instead, I sipped the coffee, which was strong enough to wake the dead. "I can come back another time," I offered.
"He shouldn't be much longer. You can wait if you want. We're just doing inventory," Connor stated.
"You're new in town, right? What brings someone like you to Goodwin Grove? We're not exactly the happening place to be," Dane questioned.
I recognized the subtle probing for what it was — friendly curiosity mixed with a dash of flirtation, but I didn't mind. I loved how refreshing the camaraderie among these men was, especially after the political minefield of my former workplace.
"I'm an architect. I took a job with Taylor Design Group here in town. I needed a change of pace from Columbus.
"An architect? That's dope. You design houses and stuff?"
I laughed. "And stuff. My specialty is actually commercial renovation, taking old buildings and reimagining them for modern use while preserving their historical integrity."
Evan nodded. "Goodwin Grove has plenty of buildings from the 1800s that could use some love."
"That's one thing that drew me to the job. That, and a place where sixty-hour work weeks weren't normal."
"Running from the big city hustle, huh? No boyfriend left behind? Husband? Pet iguana? Wife?" Dane laughed.
I laughed despite myself. "Just me, though I did have a fern named Frederick, who didn't survive the move."
"R.I.P., Frederick," Dane said, placing his hand over his heart.
I playfully swatted at Dane's arm and giggled.
The men continued with their routine, moving around the workbench. It reminded me of the better days at my old firm, when we had a collaborative spirit.
"Was that your place that was burned or a rental?" Evan asked.
"Yeah, a rental. Thank goodness I hadn't fully unpacked yet. I was able to salvage a few things."
"Could be worse," Connor offered.
"Small blessings, I guess." A nervous laugh slipped out.
"Can I give you the grand tour while you wait?" Connor asked.
"Sure," I agreed. I had a little time to kill.
"Allow us to show you the luxurious accommodations of Goodwin Grove's finest fire establishment," Dane said.
