Peeta's POV
I smell her before I see her.
The soft scent of cedar and vanilla wafts in as the door slowly drifts open. When I finally see her she's slowly facing from one direction to the other as if she's lost. Her chestnut hair is in a side braid; it's a little bit messy and small pieces are poking out. A black skirt hugging her slim hips hits her above the knee and she has a white button up shirt tucked into it. Her feet are adorned in a pair of cherry red heels flaunting her shapely calves. When she steps onto the elevator and makes eye contact with me I suck in a breath of air.
Her eyes. Her beautiful eyes see straight into my soul and shine grey like the calm after a storm. Thick black lashes surround them and I can't look away. I'm transfixed by her small shy smile and her eyes that show strength even as they avert my gaze.
She's beautiful.
Katniss' POV
This guy is seriously creeping me out.
He's cute, there's no doubt about that. Tousled blonde hair, crystal clear blue eyes and a broad back with muscular arms. He's wearing dark wash jeans and a white polo underneath a grey cardigan. Classic yet trendy.
He's still staring at me.
I back up into the wall of the elevator pressing myself into the corner. He clears his throat and continues to watch me comfortably while I fidget awkwardly. He smiles. I frown. His eyebrows raise up at my expression and he chuckles while my cheeks burn. Finally, I can't take it anymore.
"What are you staring at?" My voice fills the elevator and I can feel my temper trying to get the best of me. It's only first day here and the she-hulk is trying to come out. Get a grip, Katniss.
"What floor?"
Silence. "Oh God." I hang my head in embarrassment and let out a long breath of air. I slowly lift my eyes to meet his and give a half hearted smile. "Seven, please." He gives me a short nod and pushes the button for me before turning away to face the elevator doors. "I'm sorry."
He nods but doesn't turn to face me. "You're new." He glances over his shoulder at me and grins. His blue eyes sparkle and he winks. "Don't worry, it's not too bad here. You'll fit right in." His voice is warm and inviting as he turns back to wait for the doors to open.
I smooth out my skirt and check the time on my watch as the elevator pauses on my floor. The stranger steps to the side and I nod at him before stepping out. I stand in the lobby for a moment taking in my surroundings. Desks littered with magazine covers and sticky notes are prominent everywhere. The sound of typing resonates through the room as does quiet chatter and the smell of coffee. I take in a deep breath of air and breathe it in to remember this moment.
If all goes according to plan this is the beginning of the rest of my life: my dream job as a writer for one of the most prominent magazines in the country. After years of interviews and applications and countless recommendations from past professors and editors I have finally been granted a position as journalist at a highly respected place of publication. From here I can only go up. I am guaranteed to succeed if I work hard enough.
"Need help finding where to go?" I nearly jump out of my skin as I turn to find the stranger from the elevator standing right behind me. I didn't even hear him get off the elevator with me; has he been standing right behind me this whole time?
Peeta's POV
She looks confused for a moment before she answers. "I'm not sure where to go. I think need to talk to someone named Ellie?" She digs in her purse for a moment before pulling out a small slip of paper and reads out a name written on it. "Oh, wait. Effie. Effie Trinkett. Do you know where he is?"
God she's adorable.
"I know where she is, yes." Her lips set in a thin line as she nods at me. "Come on, follow me. I have to go see her anyways." I adjust my messenger bag as I walk us down a long hallway to Effie's office. "So... What will your position be here at Mockingjay?"
"I'll be a journalist. Other than that I don't know complete details, but my past jobs I loved to travel for my stories. I'm hoping I'll be able to do that here." Her eyes watch the floor as we walk and she fidgets with her skirt nervously.
"What other publications have you worked for?"
"I was an intern at Time magazine and worked for them for awhile, but I needed a change of scenery. I loved my job but I knew that wasn't where I needed to be."
"I hear you came highly recommended by your editors."
She looks up and smiles. "They'll always be my other family. I learned a lot from them during my time there." She brushes a loose stand of hair behind her ear and checks her watch again before digging through her bag yet again. She pulls out a tube of Chapstick and gently runs it across her lips; I can smell the light vanilla scent from where I walk next to her.
Vanilla always has been a favorite of mine.
We come to Effie's door and I knock once before opening the door allowing her to walk in before me. Her assistant, Glimmer, is talking on her headset as we approach her desk.
"Oh, I know. He seriously sat there and didn't even offer to buy me a drink after dinner, like I wasn't good enough for his company. I mean, hello? Have you seen this ass?" I clear my throat loudly and she looks up at me before rolling her eyes. She flips open a large planner and sighs loudly. "Listen, Clove, I'm going to have to let you go. I have company." She pauses. "Of course. I'll call you in a little bit after I get done with this. It shouldn't take long. Kisses!"
She hits a button and then turns her attention towards us. She looks down at the planner and smiles up at me. "Peeta, I see you have an appointment today but I'm not sure Effie will have time for your, uh," she looks up and down at the girl next to me, "friend here." She smiles at her, slightly narrowing her eyes. "I'm sure you understand."
"Actually-"
"My name is Katniss," she interrupts. "Today is my first day and I'm supposed to report here first thing." She flashes a sugary sweet smile laced with acid. "I'm sure you understand."
I bite my lip to hold back a grin trying to break across my face. Finally, someone who can put Glimmer in her place. Most people stutter and stammer around her but obviously Katniss has no problems beating around the bush. I'm liking her more and more right now.
Glimmer pushes a button and speaks into her headset again. "Effie, it's time for your appointment with Peeta. The new girl is here for you as well." Glimmer listens for a few moments before nodding to herself, scribbling down a few notes on a sticky pad. "Yes, ma'am." Another pause. "Sounds good. I'll send them in." She hangs up and nods, gesturing for us to proceed to Effie's office door.
Katniss' POV
My new boss is crazy.
Not particularly a bad crazy, but the kind of crazy where you love her one minute and want to run away screaming the next. She dresses a bit strangely- when we walk in she has on a bright pink military style blazer on and a black ruffled shirt with sky high stilettos. Her blonde hair is curly and pink highlights peek through in some places. She's eccentric, that much is obvious. That could either be a good thing or a bad thing.
After we formally introduce ourselves, she excitedly pulls me outside down the hallway and back to the area where everyone is working, showing me to my new desk.
"This is where you'll probably be living during your time here. When you're not here, you'll be eating or sleeping or off interviewing people. Aren't you excited? We're ever so happy to have you here!" Her huge smile is genuine and I can't help but give her a small smile back.
I mean, I'm excited, but geez.
Someone at the next desk rolls his eyes and makes eye contact with me, winking, before turning back to his computer to type. I look back at Effie but she's still babbling about the office and how happy I'll be here. Wanting to get started already, I interrupt her.
"So what's my first assignment?"
She pauses. "Your first assignment! Oh dear, I haven't even told you your first assignment yet. My apologies, I'm a terrible boss sometimes. I tend to have a bit of a case of ADD so if I start babbling please feel welcome to interrupt me. This one time I was going around introducing a new employee to everyone and-"
I laugh. "Effie. You're doing it again."
Her cheeks flush pink and she chuckles. "I think we're going to get along just fine, Everdeen." She lifts up a few sheets of paper on my desk and hands them to me. "This is your first assignment. Nothing too crazy for your first story here; just a short article on a non profit that feeds the homeless and poor. The owner was caught using donated funds for the program to reward himself for his hard work. You're meeting him tomorrow and our photographer will meet you there to get a few shots. Have it in to me by the deadline on the sheet."
"Sounds good."
"I need to get back to talk to Peeta, but if you have any questions at all dear just come see me. Don't let grouchy Glimmer keep you away, okay?"
"Yes ma'am."
"By the way, that desk there is mahogany. Feel special."
I laugh again, smiling at her. "I'll try not to stab it with a knife or anything." As she goes back to her office, I pull my seat out and slowly sink down in it, memorizing the roll of the wheels on the floor and the coolness of the desk underneath my fingertips. I turn on the computer in front of me and begin going through the files in front of me to do some background research on my story.
I hear a deep voice clear his throat and look over at the guy from earlier that winked at me. He's smiling at me again and not doing anything to hide it; normally I'd look away and ignore him but his desk is right next to mine, maybe 5 feet away, making it impossible not to notice.
"My name is Cato," he says, extending his hand as he leans forward a bit to extend it. I shake it and nod.
"Katniss." I look back down to my pile of papers. He clears his throat again and I begrudgingly look up again.
"Where did you transfer here from?" His eyes watch me and I feel them travel down the front of my shirt over my chest. I sit up straighter making sure not to show off any cleavage and cross my arms to deter his eyes. I take in his appearance. His clothes are obviously expensive- tailored just for him and fitted perfectly. His blonde hair is spiky and his grin is cocky and he seems a bit too self assured.
This is a man probably used to getting exactly what he wants, when he wants it.
I don't like him already.
"Time." I keep staring at the information provided so far and begin typing up notes on my computer, not initiating any further conversation. I hear a familiar voice and I look up to see Peeta getting onto the elevator with Effie. They're both laughing as they step on and when the doors close I feel a slight pang of disappointment. I shake my head and glance back at the screen in front of me.
Apparently Cato has other ideas of where my attention should be.
"So, you want to get a drink tonight? I can show you the ropes and fill you in about things here at Mockingjay."
I snort. Yeah, I'm sure you want to show me the ropes alright. "I have plans."
"Tomorrow night then."
Dear God, can't he take a hint? "No thanks."
His eyes narrow and they flicker towards the elevator. "I saw you come off the elevator with Mellark. Watch out for him, he's got a reputation around here."
I roll my eyes and keep typing without looking at Cato. "Oh, does he now?" I've dated guys like Cato. They think they're the shit and know everything when in reality the only thing they have going for them is looks, if they're lucky. Cato was probably raised getting everything he wanted and he most likely picked on kids that weren't cool or not rich. He's not worth my time. Period.
"Oh yeah. He puts on this innocent facade and then ditches the girl after they seal the deal. I'd stay away from him if I were you." Is he seriously trying to tell me who to spend time with? Peeta seemed nothing but sincere, but then, first impressions aren't always everything. Either way I'd much rather be trapped in a room with him than Cato any day.
"I'll do that, Cato. Thanks for having my best interests at heart," I say sarcastically.
"Of course."
Peeta's face flickers into my head again and I remember his blue eyes and the sincerity behind them. He never once tried to hit on me, and when Effie dragged me out of the office he wished me luck. He doesn't exactly seem like the heartbreaking type, honestly. I shake his face out of my head and continue with my work.
Hours later my tummy begins to growl at me, begging for food. I check the time and decide it's time for a lunch break. I log off my computer and gather my things to go to the deli across the street that I know has a killer turkey sandwich with my name on it. As I stand, Cato does too; I groan inwardly and try to avoid eye contact.
"Lunch break, huh? Where are you going?"
Lie, Katniss, lie. "Um, I've got a lunch date with someone up the street."
"Not Fox cafe, by any chance? I'm going there now. Maybe I could join you." Damn it. Go figure the one place I want to go is where this douche bag hides out on his lunch break.
"No, somewhere else. Gotta run, bye!" I make a quick dash for the stairs so I don't have to be stuck in an enclosed space with him. As I make my way down seven flights of stairs I remind myself to bring a pair of tennis shoes or find sneakier ways of escaping the building so that Cato doesn't notice so I can enjoy the elevator.
A few minutes later I officially hate my high heels. Damn these four inch Christian Louboutin heels. Damn you, crafty thrift store that had these stowed away in a corner for me to find. Damn you all and my addiction to shoes.
As I limp around the corner on the street outside I smell vanilla and cocoa and sugar and my mouth waters. Following the scent, I drag my feet to a tiny shop called Dent de Lion. I make my way inside and instantly the smell of heaven greets me.
The place is small but cozy; the walls are painted a gorgeous shade of orange and dark wooden furniture accents everything. Artwork is hanging on the walls: an assortment of photography and paintings. Local artists' work most likely. I walk up to the display case and study the mixture of sandwiches, paninis, cakes and miscellaneous sweets. A large chalkboard hanging above the cash register behind everything shows daily specials written in beautiful handwriting.
A cheery man with a big smile comes out to greet me. "Hey there! How can I help you today?" He's around 6 feet tall and has dark blonde hair; his chin is covered in facial hair and his dimples peek through.
"Yeah, it's my first time here and I'm starving. What do you recommend? I'm on my lunch break."
"Well, do you want a sandwich or soup?"
"I'm open to suggestions."
"My kind of customer," he chuckles. "Our tomato apple soup is a best seller. It's got slow cooked apples and carrots in a tomato soup; sounds funky but I haven't met anyone who didn't like it. If you want something a bit more hearty I'd go for our red bell pepper and chicken pesto panini. Can't go wrong with that either. And our desserts are what we're known for, so if you have a sweet tooth I'd try one of our raspberry dark chocolate brownies."
"Dear God," I mutter, "what have I gotten myself into?" He laughs and waits for me to decide. I pause for a second before making my decision. "I'll try the tomato apple soup. And a glass of water, please." As he turns to go to the kitchen I call out to him. "And I'll take one of those brownies, too!" He throws his arm in the air and gives me a thumbs up as he rounds the corner into the kitchen.
He continues talking to me from in the kitchen. Since the place is small, he only has to raise his voice a little. "Find a seat and rest your feet. I'll bring it out to you and I'll bring you the ticket when you're done." I look around and decide on a seat facing the window. I pull out a book and pull the chair in front of me just a bit closer so I can prop up my feet. Immediately they feel twenty times better. I sigh contentedly and rub my temples gently to relieve a bit of pressure. The smell of apples drifts through the air and I inhale deeply.
That food can't get out here fast enough.
Peeta's POV
I see her as I'm rounding the corner to the shop. The sunlight floats in over her cheeks making her look ethereal and it makes my heart flutter for a moment. I pause for a half second and walk in quietly when I see her rubbing her temples. I hope her first day is going well. I've heard that Cato guy can be a bit of a nuisance for women in the office.
Maybe those are the kinds of guys she usually goes for.
I walk to the kitchen and put down my bag. "Hey, Dad. you need help with anything?" I slip an apron on over my head and glance outside. No other customers but Katniss. I doubt he'll even need me today. I wash my hands and dry them off before waiting for his answer.
"Yeah, can you take that soup out to the girl outside? You know, the cute one with the heels?" Here we go again. Dad is always trying to set me up with cute customers but I never take the bait. Besides, asking out a customer could be a danger for our business. One offended person and we could have a sexual harassment claim on us.
"Stop, Dad. She just started at Mockingjay today."
"Really? Have you talked to her?"
"More or less."
He studies me for a second and shrugs. "That soup won't wait forever, son." I shake my head and pick up the tray holding the bowl of soup and slowly make my way to her table. Her head is tilted down reading a book and I clear my throat as I come near her.
Apparently my sole purpose in life is to scare the living daylights out of her because she jumps again like earlier when we got off the elevator. I chuckle and shake my head before placing her soup and glass of water down in front of her. "You know, they say only guilty people scare easily."
She rolls her eyes and pulls the bowl towards her. "Sorry, I was in the zone reading."
"Don't apologize. My bad. Enjoy the soup."
"Do you work here and at Mockingjay?" She stirs the soup around with her spoon and waits for my answer.
"My Dad owns this place. I just help out sometimes. Dent de Lion is kind of my other home," I chuckle. "I mostly bake here and my Dad runs everything else and makes the food."
"Dent de Lion. Is that French?"
"It is. It's a loose translation of the word dandelion. It's my Dad's favorite plant." I pick off some sugar from the front of my apron and look up to find Katniss watching me.
She nods. "It has a nice zing to it." Her fingers linger on her glass of water and she rubs the condensation between her fingertips.
"How's your first day going so far?"
"Not bad, thanks. The guy next to me I could do without, though."
A slow smile spreads across my lips. "Aw, he can't be that bad."
"Let's just say his eyes linger a bit too long on certain body parts and he can't exactly take a hint when a girl says no."
What? "Have you said anything to Effie? Do you want me to say something?"
"Oh geez, no. I can handle it, trust me. I've had to deal with skeeze balls before." She takes a sip of her water and places the glass back down. "Listen. I'm sorry, I'm not trying to unload silly office drama on you. It's really inappropriate of me." She smoothes down the front of her shirt and looks at me apprehensively.
"No, Cato is the one being inappropriate. You're fine, don't worry about it."
"How did you know I was talking about Cato?"
Shit. Well, Katniss, when I was leaving today I searched around the office till I saw what desk you were sitting at. I saw him right next to you and basically was creeping on you."Well, he has a bit of a reputation at Mockingjay. We'll leave it at that."
She smiles and chuckles but doesn't say anything. Her eyes flicker up to meet mine and for the millionth time today I can't think of anything to say as I stand there like an idiot in front of her. I smile at her and I can feel my cheeks flush slightly before I finally think of something to say.
"Well, if you need me I'll be in the back."
Smooth, Peeta. Real smooth.
She nods and I turn to leave her as she lifts the spoon to her lips. I hear a sharp intake of breath and I spin around expecting her to be grasping her lips from the soup being too hot, but instead she's smiling and her eyes are closed, her head tilted back as if she's in ecstasy.
Damn, she's sexy.
"This. This right here. This is the best soup I've ever had," she groans. She takes another sip and look at me. "Sorry, I'm like a fat kid when I eat. I love food." Her grey eyes go back down to her soup and she eyes the brownie sitting in front of her. She picks off a piece and tastes it; her eyes roll in the back of her head and she smiles at me. With her mouth still full, she picks up her brownie and lifts it up in my direction. "Want some?"
I know right then that no matter what happens, I'm going to fall for this girl.