Peeta

The large red 'opening soon' sign ran horizontally across the wide shop window. It was unnecessary since everyone had already seen the workers come and go. I guess someone thought it was a good idea.

The street hadn't had a new store in three years and the one across from mine had sat vacant for the last two. Evelyn moved her hairdressing salon to her home after the birth of her first child. The sign didn't hint at a name or even what the store may be. A slender blonde woman was popping in out of the store the last month. She had barely stopped for me to have a chance to introduce myself, we were practically going to be neighbours.

I glance at my watch; the blue face reads six am. Sighing, I flip the open sign over.

Let the day begin.

Soon the regulars would come flocking in, most of them on their way to work. These town locals have an indulgence for fresh bread and pastries. I was more than happy to provide considering Mellark's Bakery was the only one in town.

Meadow Glen has a population of roughly 2,000 people, small enough not to be overcrowded and big enough not to know everyone on first name basis. It was surrounded by lush green forests and several large lakes. It is home to mostly miners and their families, who work the next town over. Even though Meadow Glen didn't boast many luxuries, it has a relaxed pace, it's comfortable.

I can't complain.

I stretch my shoulders, feeling the tired muscles groan at the movement as I walk into the back area of the bakery where the majority of ovens and preparation area are. I was midway through a cookie mixture that sits in a large industrial mixer. Baking comes naturally and I have been doing it since I could remember. The rhythm is relaxing, repeating the same process to achieve the same result. But mostly I love it for the enjoyment it brings to other, the smile on a face from a bite into a biscuit or cupcake. Especially the kids, nothing beats the excitement on their tiny little faces.

The bells rings from above the door, I glance up and make my way to the front. Before I have even taken a step I hear a familiar voice.

"Peeta it's just me, don't worry."

I smile as Delly steps into view as she rounds the display counter and into the back area. Delly smiles back hanging her coat on the rack just inside the back area. I frown at the coat but then remember it's not as warm outside as it is next to the ovens. It was just turning into summer but the early mornings still had a slight chill.

"Hey Delly, what brings you in so early? I thought you were on the afternoon shift." I say, turning slightly to add more milk to the cookie mixture.

"I was but your stupid brother made me switch so he could sleep in!" Delly grabs an apron, pulling it over her head. It's a light cream colour with a cursive red 'MB' in the top left hand corner. She pulls her long blonde hair out from under the strap and ties it in a messy bun on top of her head.

"Typical of Rye to slack off on any form of responsibility before six am." I chuckle and shake my head.

Rye and I had always been close as siblings when growing up, closer in age with only a year between us than our older brother Michael who was 5 years Rye's senior. So it as no surprise when Rye followed me to this little town under the pretence he was there to make sure that his younger brother didn't marry some 'country bumpkin'.

Rye has been luckier in love than I have, meeting Delly a few short months after moving into town. She definitely wasn't what I had expected someone like Rye to go for. Her blonde hair lacked highlights, she barely wore any make up and she was a little rounder than any girl Rye had previously dated. I'm not saying these are bad qualities at all but my brother is shallow. If she wasn't a model Rye wasn't interested.

Though Delly and I hit it off straight away and it was easy to see how her charms had quickly won Rye over. We not-so-secretly enjoy goading Rye every chance we get. Rye and Delly have been living together for over a year now in a small cottage ten minutes down the road. Delly's parents own the one end only shoe store in the town, four shops down from the bakery. Delly works part time at both to keep her parents happy and mostly to help me out when Rye was being beyond lazy.

The bell rings again and Delly ducks out the front to greet who ever had walked in the door. I hear her cheery voice moments later and a man laugh. Delly is great with customers, she is quick to smile and has a great knack for remembering everyone's names and their regular orders. It was the main reason I have kept her on after Rye had asked me to employ her as a favour.

Delly had begun to hate the smell of leather and shoe polish and needed a break, so Rye had practically begged me to give her job. At the time business was only just beginning and it was a huge stretch to add her to the staff. It wasn't long after I realised how much everyone loved her and she was local so if she suggested something extra they would normally take it. I don't regret employing her at all.

The morning goes past steadily as I finish off the morning prep and help Delly with large rushes of customers. Around eleven I send Delly on her break.

"Go grab some lunch, I think there a few things in the fridge down here to make yourself a sandwich." I say as I refill the sourdough rolls, and I make a mental note to make more tomorrow.

"Are you sure Peet? I know you have been down here since 4am," she replies.

"Na, I'm fine. I ate before." I lie even though I know she can see straight through me. I hear her sigh but avoid eye contact.

"Coffee then?" she suggests with a knowing smirk.

"Why do you even ask?" I reply with a wide grin, looking over at her. She laughs heartily before walking into the back area.

I lean against the bench, my strong black coffee warming my hands. My gaze falls on large red sign again as I enjoy a lull between customers. The door rings and I focus my gaze on a tall blonde man, I smile widely as my eyes recognise the person in front of me.

"Finn! What brings you up here so early? It's before noon," I say as I come around the corner to give him a hand shake. Finnick laughs loudly and pats me on the back. Finnick owns the only restaurant in town, this super cliché country steakhouse 'Ribs & Rumps'. It sits next the local bar 'Panem Pub'- it is a dingy establishment but it is better than nothing. The owner Haymitch is always good for a laugh as well.

The food is great at the restaurant though, and Rye and I used to eat there often when we first came to town. Finn struck up a business arrangement shortly after, with us supplying all his bread and speciality cakes for dessert. It was only a matter of time before we were chilling out after work with a couple of beers. Finnick was just one of those people you couldn't not like.

"Just came to check that my orders were being met," Finnick says raising his eyebrows, trying to be mock serious.

"I think I might have missed that one this morning….Sorry mate" I reply trying to keep a straight face. Finnick laughs boisterously, the only way he knows how.

"Peet, you are the worst liar."

"I'll take that as a compliment…now quitting hitting on me." I jest. "What do you want?"

"Pfft you wish I was hitting on you, you haven't seen any action in months." I feel my face turn red. I don't need him rubbing my sexual exploits in my face…or lack thereof. "Plus even if I did swing that way you would never have a chance." He laughs loudly again "Have you seen the new owners across the road yet?"

"I've seen a blonde woman scurrying about a couple of times." Looking out the window to the store quickly, in the last hour someone seems to have been placing a large sign on the top of the building. We might finally know the business soon; the curiosity was beginning to get to me.

"No the other, the brunette…" Finnick remarks turning to look at the store as well. I look back at him with a blank stare. "I think they are sisters or something but they look nothing alike. Haymitch spoke to some of the workers the other day while they were getting a drink. He reckons they said the place is absolutely huge inside."

"Oh yeah," I say while walking around the counter to grab Finnick a sausage roll. "Does he know what it is?"

"Not a clue. I hope it's something fun like a costume shop or alternative medicine store"

"How would either of those be useful here?"

"They wouldn't…anyway better go make some dough…" He roars with laughter and I chuckle at the typical lame Finnick joke.

"That pun doesn't work if you don't own a bakery."

"But I'm in one…?"

"Get lost, you loser." I say waving my hand dismissively at him.

Finnick pouts and raises his hand to his chest in mock anguish, "you wound me, Peeta."

I laugh lightly at his ridiculousness. Finnick must be the most dramatic straight guy I know.

Rye comes in at two to start the afternoon shift and do the prep work for tomorrow. Rye is a good baker but he has no desire to run a business himself. I'm kneading dough and placing them in large metal bowls to rise over night when Rye comes bursting through the back door.

"Hey Peet, what's up?" He says placing his jumper on the rack next to Delly's.

"Nothing much, wanna tell your lady love she can go home?"

"With pleasure," Rye says smirking and darting through the door

Two seconds later I can hear Delly softly giggling and Rye's gruff laugh. Delly rounds the door all flushed with a silly grin on her face. I'm still amazed after 4 years Rye still has that effect on her. She reaches for her jacket and places it over her arm.

"See you tomorrow." She calls to me with a quick wave before heading out the front. Rye appears moments later leaning on the doorframe.

"When you going to put a ring on that?' I ask cheekily. Rye rubs his neck and grins.

"You'll just have to wait and see..."

I smile casually and shrug, knowing that's the best answer I'll get.

"How's your day been anyway?" Rye asks.

"Busy morning, been quiet for the last half hour though. Do you mind finishing this up and watching the front? I have some paper work to do." I rub my eyes as I feel a headache forming just thinking about the paperwork I have been avoiding for the last three days.

"Why don't you just call it a day bro and head on upstairs? I can lock up at close." Rye's eyes crinkling in concern.

"I'm just going to do it now and then I won't have to worry about it later." I move towards the storage area in the back where I keep a small desk for daily paperwork, the majority was upstairs in my loft. The desk is littered with stock deliveries, order and special delivery papers, invoices and daily takings papers. I just look at it and want to run away. This is the punishment I get for avoidance.

Thirty minutes later Rye ducks his head in.

"Someone wants to speak to you." I look up in surprise. I hadn't been expecting any one.

"Ok, I'll just be a minute. I'm nearly done."

I place my pen down and sigh. It was done and I could easily avoid it guilt free for another week. I quickly make my way to the front of the store, dusting any flour off my clothes in the process. My eyes immediately fall on a woman standing off to the side, looking out the window. She is dressed in grey slacks and a deep green blouse. Her black heels make her legs seem endless. Her dark brown hair hang simply in a braid. She turns as she hears me enter the room; I blink in surprise, trying to keep my mouth from gaping. She is beautiful, her startling grey eyes standing out between the light freckles across her nose and the crinkle of a frown between her eyebrows. Before I can speak though, she is striding towards me in a determined manner her heels clicking aggressively on the floor tiles.

"Are you Peeta Mellark?" she asks abruptly

"Um…yes… can I help you?" I mumble foolishly.

"I'm Katniss Everdeen. I own the store across the road." She states as she thrusts her hand towards me. I shake her hand as my eyes quickly glance out the window. The sign had finally been revealed 'Everdeen Delicatessen' it reads.

Author's Note: What did you think? Let me know. Cheers for reading.