Chapter 3
"What do you think about this one?" Effie said as she held a lamp shade up. "Do you think it will look good with the base on this lamp?"
"It looks fine to me," Katniss said. Truly she couldn't tell the difference between one tasseled lamp shade and another. But she had gotten used to Effie Trinket's odd questions ever since she'd moved into the apartment above Effie's antique store a month earlier to babysit Buttercup, Effie's cat, while the older woman went on a buying trip for her business.
When Effie had returned, she'd offered to let Katniss stay in her guest room as a tenant.
"Buttercup would be sad if you left," Effie had explained.
But Katniss thought the woman was simply lonely and wanted human company for a change. And although Effie wasn't the roommate Katniss would have voluntarily chosen, she much preferred a certain baker, the eccentric fifty-something woman was charging Katniss much less than she'd pay if she had to rent a studio in downtown Panem.
Practicality had won out and Katniss agreed to be Effie's roommate. Besides, the lodgings were located only a few doors down from Mellark Bakery where Katniss worked the front counter and did online marketing.
Effie continued to fuss about the small apartment. "I just want to make sure that everything is nice for Annie's visit."
Annie Cresta was Effie's niece, the daughter of Effie's deceased sister. She lived in a town, located a hundred miles north of Panem. "I'm the only family Annie has left."
"Well now she'll have Finnick, too," Katniss pointed out.
Effie frowned. Annie was bringing her fiancé Finnick Odair to meet her aunt for the first time. The couple was staying in Effie's apartment and the older woman was trying to figure out sleeping arrangements.
"You can put Annie and Finnick in my room," Katniss had volunteered. "I'll sleep on the couch while they're here."
"I offered to give up my room to them, even though they're not married. But Annie refused. She said she'd sleep with me, and Finnick could take the couch.
"I told her that I wouldn't judge if they slept together, after all they are engaged, but still she refused my offer."
Although Katniss had never met Annie, she didn't blame the woman for wanting to keep her relationship with her fiancé completely private from her aunt. Ever since Katniss had met Effie, she'd noticed that the woman had some quirky ideas about romance between the sexes.
But then again, Peeta's thoughts about how to conduct a relationship were also confusing to her.
Katniss had been dating her employer for more than six weeks now and they had gone out eight times. Three dinners, two movies, a play, an afternoon at the art museum, and most recently a picnic.
It was more "dates" than Katniss had ever been on in her entire life. In the past she'd met men for drinks or gone out with a group. All activities had been spur-of-the-moment, and she'd always paid her own way.
But Peeta asked her out days in advance, as if she had other things planned, and he paid.
He flat out refused to accept any money from her. He actually acted insulted when she'd offered.
"I asked you out," he reminded her.
Only last week had he allowed her to take him on a picnic to celebrate his birthday. It made Katniss happy to finally be able to reciprocate.
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Annie had told Effie that they'd arrive in time for dinner on Friday. Effie closed her shop early that day to cook for the couple.
But around 3 p.m., Effie rushed into the bakery. Katniss was behind the counter helping a customer. Peeta was sitting in one of the booths doing paperwork.
Effie stood behind the customer wringing her hands. As soon as the customer exited the shop, she burst out. "What am I going to do? Annie called and said Finnick is bringing a friend along. Where is his friend going to sleep?"
"At a hotel," Katniss suggested.
A look of horror came over Effie's face. "I can't say he's not welcome. That's would be bad manners."
"What about the floor?"
"What kind of hostess puts a guest on the floor?"
"He can have my bed and I'll sleep on the floor in your room."
Effie shook her head. "You can't sleep on my floor. That's where Buttercup is going to sleep."
The cat had never slept on the floor ever since Katniss had moved in. The feline always seemed to settle on the most expensive, upholstered piece of furniture in the room.
"If you're overbooked, you can always send someone over to me," Peeta called out. "I have a guest room."
A shiver went down Katniss spine as she thought about spending the weekend in Peeta's apartment with him. She was more than ready to push their relationship further along.
"You don't mind a stranger staying in your home then?" Effie asked.
"Nah, it will be fine."
So clearly, Peeta would rather offer a bed to a stranger before his own girlfriend.
"Why don't you join us for dinner?" Effie suggested. "You can meet Finnick's friend. Besides I need another person to make an even count with the seating."
"All right, I will. Thanks."
Katniss returned to Effie's apartment after work to find the women almost hysterical.
"I want everything to be perfect. I don't want Finnick to think that Annie comes from a low-class family."
"I can't imagine he'd think that," Katniss said, as she surveyed Effie's antique-laden dwelling. The dining table was covered with a lacy tablecloth and laid with fine china accompanied by silvery cutlery that Katniss knew was close to one hundred years old because Effie had bragged about it.
"I think Finnick will be impressed."
Effie bit her lip as if she hadn't even heard Katniss. Katniss wondered if Finnick would even care about the effort Effie was making. She hadn't met many men who had much interest in antique dishes and silverware. Most would be more concerned about the food that was sitting on the plate.
And Effie had no worries about discouraging Finnick in that area. She was an excellent cook. The smell of roasted lamb with tiny potatoes and steamed vegetables wafted through the apartment.
Katniss looked around the room. "Where's Buttercup?"
"I locked her in my bedroom."
"Good idea." Effie's nerves must have reached the apex if she had banned Buttercup from the occasion.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs and the front door swung open. In walked a slight woman with shoulder-length, wavy, brown hair and sea green eyes.
The man following Annie caused Katniss to gasp in astonishment. Finnick Odair, she assumed it was him, was probably the most handsome man she'd ever seen. Bronze-colored hair and eyes so intense that it would be easy to get lost in them. Was he a model? Because if he wasn't he should be.
The last person to come in was a middle-aged man. His face was lined but it was clear to see that he'd once been a looker with his gray eyes and distinctive dark eyebrows. But now, past fifty his hair was gray and he had a distinctive paunch around the middle. He seemed a most curious-looking person to be the handsome Finnick Odair's friend.
"It smells wonderful in here Aunt Effie." Annie shoved the extra shop key into her purse and the two men set down the luggage they were carrying.
Effie rushed to her niece and hugged her. "Let me see that ring," she said as she pulled away.
She grabbed at Annie's left hand to admire the diamond solitaire. "It's beautiful."
Effie lifted her head to eye the handsome man beside her niece. "Is this the wonderful Finnick Odair I've heard so much about?"
"It is Auntie."
Finnick stepped forward, reached for Effie's hand, lifted it to his lips and kissed it.
"Nice to meet you Aunt Effie."
Effie blushed.
"And this is Finnick's friend," Annie said.
The middle-aged man stepped forward with a big grin.
"You look familiar," Effie said. A puzzled look came over her as if she was trying to remember where she'd seen him before.
"Hello darlin, I'm Haymitch Abernathy." He put out his hand as if to shake Effie's.
Effie's face went pale. "I, ah, I, ah."
Katniss watched in fascination as her talkative landlady lost her ability to speak. Did Effie know the man?
Haymitch raised his dark eyebrows. "Is something wrong?"
"Are you all right Aunt Effie? Do you need water?"
"No, no. I need to check on dinner. I'll be right back." Effie fled from the room, leaving Katniss alone with the visitors.
Puzzled at what had occurred, Katniss tried to smooth over the awkward situation. "I'm Effie's roommate, Katniss Everdeen."
Annie smiled back, but Finnick took a step closer, so close to her that Katniss automatically took a step backwards. Didn't the man understand the concept of personal space?
"Hello Katniss," he purred, as if he'd known her forever.
"Hold on tiger," Haymitch said.
Finnick turned around to look at the older man and laughed. "Not your job, Haymitch."
The middle-aged man rubbed his hand over his chin. "Well, someone's got to keep you in line."
Annie laughed. "That's my job." She laced her arm through Finnick's and pulled him to her side.
The strange moment was interrupted with the sound of a buzzer.
"I'm guessing that's Peeta," Effie said, returning to the room. Normal color had returned to her face, but she had a pinched, tense look about her. "Katniss would you be a dear and let him in.
"Peeta is Katniss' boyfriend," Effie announced to the others as Katniss headed for the stairs.
Katniss opened the shop door to let Peeta in. After the odd actions upstairs, it was a relief to see him.
She grinned when she caught sight of the loaf of bread in one hand and the cake box in other. "Effie has a lot of food already."
"I always bring food with me." Peeta handed the loaf to Katniss and then when his hand was free he reached up to her cheek and tenderly caressed it.
He rarely touched her in that fashion while they were at work in the bakery. But outside of it, his hands were never far away, reaching for her in a gentle way. Katniss found it very comforting.
"Hey, I'm not complaining about the baked goods. I'm sure everyone will love them. What kind cake did you bring?"
"Carrot."
She locked the door and punched in the alarm code. "Follow me. But I have to warn you. It's a little weird up there."
In all the time she'd been living with Effie, Peeta had never been upstairs to see the apartment. But Katniss had described it to him in detail, the ornate, brocade couches with their intricate wood backing, the many side tables and fancy lamps with tasseled shades, the mahogany dining table. But the most detailed of descriptions had centered on Buttercup.
"Has the cat gone crazy and attacked everyone?" he asked.
Katniss snorted. Peeta was funny. "No, Effie locked Buttercup in her bedroom. It's the people who are acting strange."
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"Oh, Peeta, I'm so glad you could join us." Effie's syrupy voice greeted them.
"I brought dessert." He handed the boxed cake over.
"Thank you." Effie turned toward her guests. "This is Peeta Mellark. He owns the bakery a few doors down."
"Nice to meet you," Peeta said. He smiled at Annie and shook the hands of the two men.
"Why don't I get everyone something to drink," Effie said. "I have a bottle of Merlot."
"Do you have anything without alcohol?" Haymitch asked.
Effie glared at Finnick's friend. "Certainly. I can give you some sparkling water with lemon."
"Great," Haymitch said.
"I'll have that too," said Finnick.
"I'll help you Aunt Effie." Annie followed her aunt into the kitchen.
Katniss set the bread down on an empty platter on the dining table and came back to sit on the couch next to Peeta. Finnick and Haymitch sat on the sofa that was positioned across from them.
"Is this your first visit to Panem?" Peeta asked the men.
"Mine," Finnick said. He turned to Haymitch. "But you've been here before."
Haymitch nodded. "My ex-wife and I lived in Panem. I left after we split up. But that was thirty-five years ago."
"Annie grew up here and still has a friend or two nearby," Finnick explained. "But we're not here only for a social visit." His voice lowered. "Annie wants to hold the wedding in Panem. We're here to check out some sites."
Peeta was smart to bring a cake this evening, Katniss thought. Mellark's might get an order for a wedding cake out of it.
"Here you go," Effie said, as she entered the room, followed by Annie. She carried a tray out of the kitchen with glasses of sparkling water, a wedge of lemon floating in each one.
Everyone took a glass and Effie put the tray down on the table between the two couches. Annie sat down next to Finnick and leaned into his side. Effie sat down next to Peeta.
"So," Effie said, "what are your plans for the weekend?"
Annie gave Finnick a quick glance before looking at her aunt. "Aunt Effie, I want to get married in Panem, the same as my parents did. We're here to check out some wedding sites."
"Oooh," Effie screamed in excitement. She leapt to her feet, rushing to a nearby side table and pulling a notebook and pen from a drawer. "I can help you plan this, Annie."
Annie pursed her lips and her eyes got big. Katniss wondered if she was having second thoughts about telling her aunt.
The wedding planning conversation continued as they moved to the table to eat Effie's delicious meal. Katniss had nothing to add, she'd only been living in Panem for a six months and didn't know the area that well. She'd moved to the city to live with Prim's family after becoming homeless from the loss of her corporate job on the other side of the state.
But everyone at the table had some ideas. Even Peeta. He'd delivered wedding cakes all over town and had been to almost every wedding venue.
"And if you're looking for someone to conduct the ceremony, my godfather is a retired justice of the peace," Peeta volunteered.
Katniss' ears perked up. She knew Peeta's parents were deceased, and that he had two brothers who lived elsewhere in the state. But he'd never mentioned having a godfather who lived locally. Were they close?
"Whatever you do, keep it simple," Haymitch advised. "My ex-wife went overboard planning an extravaganza. It was a damn nightmare. No wonder our marriage failed."
"Sorry to hear that the beautiful wedding that your loving bride planned caused the ruin of your marriage." Effie's voice was sharp. She tossed a hateful look in Haymitch's direction, and then stood up. "I'll get that cake now."
"What in hell is her problem?" Haymitch asked, as Effie left the room.
An uncomfortable silence hung over the table.
By the time Effie had passed out slices of cake and everyone had praised Peeta's baking skills, Katniss was ready to turn in, sleepy from all the food she'd eaten.
They were still at the table when Haymitch looked at his watch. "We better get going Finnick or we'll be late."
"Late? For what?" A look of irritation crossed Effie's face.
"Our meeting," Finnick said. He glanced at Annie. "You're sure you don't mind?"
"Not at all. You need to take care of yourself."
Annie leaned in toward him and gave him a peck on the lips. "Go now, I'll see you later."
Effie frowned. "Would you let them out Katniss?"
"I should probably get going as well." Peeta stood up from the table. "Thanks for the meal Effie. It was great. And my offer stands if you want to send someone over to use my guest room," he added.
Finnick looked to Peeta. "Thanks for offering, but we don't want to put you out. Those couches look comfortable. Don't you think so Haymitch?"
"I've had worse," Haymitch replied.
Effie scowled.
Katniss got up and led the men downstairs and out of the shop.
Finnick and Haymitch strode off down the street and got into a parked car.
Peeta lingered behind to plant a kiss on her lips. "That wasn't so bad. Effie seemed out of sorts, but the food was prime. See you in the morning."
Katniss locked the shop and set the security alarm before returning upstairs into the midst of a squabble as the two women were clearing the table.
"You want to get married this summer?" Effie was appalled. "It's already April. We'll never get everything arranged in time."
Katniss exchanged a sympathetic glance with Annie as the woman responded to her aunt. Katniss went into her bedroom to hide. Even in the short time they'd been roommates, Katniss understood that Effie was very opinionated and would give her niece a difficult time.
She lay on her bed and tried to read. But she couldn't concentrate. Bored, she pulled out her phone and texted Peeta.
What are you doing?
She didn't get an answer back, but she wasn't surprised. He'd probably didn't even have his phone turned on.
Over the past few months, she'd come to realize that Peeta was far different from her. He used technology as a means to accomplish what needed to be done, but he wasn't fixated on it. His phone and laptop were older models that didn't offer any bells and whistles.
She, on the other hand, had earned her living as a marketing executive by being tech savvy, so it was second nature to her to want to be in continual touch with others. But ever since her catastrophic fall, first losing her job and then her home, she'd been cut off cold turkey from that world when she'd had to sell her laptop and top-of-the-line phone among other belongings to pay off the lease on her condo.
That alone might have been a big source of her subsequent depression, but now that she'd been able to earn enough money to purchase a new laptop and regain phone service, she was being far more selective.
She had no desire to contact old friends. Not that she'd had many. She'd spent so much time at work that what little social life she'd had had been spent entirely with co-workers. They'd all disappeared when she needed them most. Why would she want to invite them back into her life now? She was building a new life.
Katniss woke up early the next morning and dressed for work, glad that the bakery was only open half day on Saturday.
Annie was already up and drinking coffee at the table when Katniss left her room.
Finnick and Haymitch were stretched out on the couches sleeping. Drool was seeping down Finnick's chin. It was an amusing sight on one so handsome.
Annie motioned for her to come to the dining table. "Would you like some coffee?" Annie whispered. She was wearing her bathrobe and her hair was sticking up in every direction. Her face was lined. Clearly she hadn't slept well.
"No thanks, I usually have breakfast with Peeta at the bakery."
Annie nodded. She took a sip from her mug and set it down. She glanced toward Effie's closed bedroom door and looked back to Katniss. "I don't know how you can stand living with my aunt," she said, keeping her voice low.
Katniss guessed that the discussion last night mustn't have ended well.
"She's all right."
Annie frowned. "And that damn cat is awful. I must have slept in her spot. She wouldn't stop playing with my hair the entire night."
Katniss laughed. "Yeah, Buttercup is something else." She wondered if Annie knew the true extent of Effie's fascination with Buttercup.
"So have you been with Peeta long?" Annie asked.
"I started working for him just before Christmas. We've been dating since February."
"Well he seems very smitten with you. He couldn't take his eyes off you at dinner."
Katniss was surprised. She hadn't been aware that Peeta was staring at her. She must have been too focused on her meal.
"We're going to check out a couple places today. My aunt wants to tag along," Annie looked down at her mug and frowned. "Maybe I should have waited to tell her that I wanted the wedding in Panem until it was all arranged. I didn't expect she'd want to get so involved." She sighed and took another sip from her cup.
"Would you and Peeta like to join us for dinner tonight? We have reservations at District Four, you know that restaurant with the big fish tank in the front window that's on the pier."
Katniss had heard of the place, Prim had mentioned it once, but it was expensive.
"I don't know," Katniss hedged.
"Please. After today I don't know if my aunt and I will still be on speaking terms. But she likes you and your boyfriend."
Katniss raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"She told me so last night. Please join us for dinner Katniss. Aunt Effie will be on her best behavior if you and Peeta are there. And it will give me a chance to talk to Peeta about his wedding cakes. That carrot cake last night was the best I've ever eaten."
"Okay, I'll mention it to Peeta. But I can't promise anything. He may have other plans." It crossed Katniss' mind that he hadn't asked her out for the evening. Maybe he already did have plans that didn't include her. "I'll get back to you later this morning."
"I'll give you my number," Annie said, as Katniss pulled the phone from her pocket and handed it over for Annie to input her number.
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Peeta had Katniss' hot chocolate waiting at the table for her when she arrived. A warmed blueberry muffin dripping with butter sat alongside.
A smile crossed her face as she considered his thoughtfulness. She thought of Annie's remarks about him staring at her over dinner. Peeta really was too good to her. Over her muffin, she told him about Annie's invitation.
"We've been invited to join all of them for dinner tonight at District Four, you know that restaurant on the pier."
"I know the place." Peeta said quickly.
"Are you interested in going out with them? She said she wants to talk to you about wedding cakes."
When Peeta didn't answer right away, Katniss continued.
"I hear the food is excellent. What do you think?"
"I guess we could go," he finally muttered, looking down at his hot chocolate.
She could tell that something wasn't right. "We don't have to go if you don't want."
She wondered what it was. Did he think she'd expect him to pay for her meal? District Four was fancy; it wouldn't be cheap. And he'd already spent a lot of money on her.
"Let me treat you," she blurted out.
"You don't have to do that."
Was he uncomfortable dining with Annie and Finnick? Granted they'd just met the couple, but Peeta had no trouble holding conversations. He did it daily with every customer that passed through the bakery.
"Is it Annie and Finnick?"
"No, they're fine. Look, tell Annie we can go. I can see you're interested."
"All right, I'll let Annie know then."
The morning flew by. Katniss locked up the shop at noon because Peeta was gone, delivering a wedding cake.
She spent the remainder of the afternoon sitting at Effie's dining table playing around with a program on her laptop. When Effie had learned about Katniss' marketing expertise, she'd expressed interested in having Katniss create a website for her antique shop, the same as Katniss had done for the bakery. But Effie's idea involved a live-action Buttercup who would "speak" to customers. While Katniss thought the idea was ridiculous, still she wondered how to go about making it happen.
Her phone buzzed after 4 p.m. She picked it up and saw a text from Annie.
Meet us at the restaurant at six. Reservations are under Trinket.
Okay, Katniss spelled out on her phone and hit `send.'
She called Peeta at the bakery, hoping he'd still be in the shop cleaning up.
He picked it up after two rings.
"Mellark's Bakery."
"It's me Peeta. Annie wants us to meet them at six. I can meet you out front at five thirty."
"Okay," he said. Peeta paused for a moment before asking, "would you wear that orange-colored dress you wore on our first date?"
Katniss made a quick mental review of her clothing. She didn't have an orange-colored dress, but then she remembered it. The dress she'd worn belonged to Effie. It was a soft, muted orange, more of a peach color. Would her landlady be upset if Katniss borrowed the dress without asking permission? Knowing Effie's current mood, Katniss didn't want to find out.
"It's not my dress," she told Peeta. "But I'm sure I have something that is just as nice."
"All right then. See you in an hour."
An hour. Katniss hadn't realized it was so late. She slammed down the lid of her laptop and jumped to her feet. What in the hell was she going to wear? District Four was upscale. She should have spent the afternoon shopping, not playing around with Photoshop.
She looked through her clothing that hung in the wardrobe in her room. Nothing she owned was as chic as that dress she'd worn on that first date with Peeta.
Eventually she settled for a gauzy off-the-shoulder blouse that she paired with a dark pencil skirt she'd saved for all those interviews that she'd never been called on. She undid her braid and finger-combed through it, letting it fall down around her shoulders. Her hair had that wavy ripple effect that Peeta had said he liked. A small amount of make-up and she was ready to go.
Peeta was waiting outside the bakery when she arrived. His eyes lit up when he saw her. "Wow you look great."
In a green, button-down shirt, with rolled up sleeves, dark dress pants, and hair still damp from the shower, he looked equally great.
They walked around the corner to the place where Peeta's car was parked in back of the shop. It was an old SUV that doubled as a delivery truck for the bakery.
He was quiet as they drove to District Four and Katniss pondered his odd reaction in the morning. "Have you ever been to District Four?"
He didn't answer at first. He lifted one hand from the steering wheel and rubbed it on the back of his neck. "Yeah I have," he said. "My old girlfriend worked there. She might still for all I know."
A twisting sensation formed in Katniss' gut. She was just beginning to think of Peeta as her boyfriend. Her's. She wasn't ready to meet some other woman who'd been with him.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"It sounded like you wanted to go."
"I can text Annie and cancel. I understand if you don't want put yourself in the position of running into her."
I sure as hell don't want to, Katniss thought.
"No," Peeta said. "It's probably a good thing. It's not like I should spend my life hiding. At least it will give me something to talk about with Dr. Aurelius next week."
Katniss frowned. Peeta reached for her hand, rubbing circles on it with his thumb.
"It will be all right. I'm probably getting upset over nothing. She likely doesn't even work there anymore. She was always complaining about the management."
"Is that why you wanted me to wear that dress?"
Peeta blushed. "Can you blame me? You looked good in that dress Katniss. I can't help it if I want to show you off."
"So she dumped you then?"
"Yeah, it was something like that."
Katniss sat back in her seat trying to figure out how she felt. She was glad Peeta had given her a heads up on what might occur. But then again it might not. Maybe the woman wasn't working this evening or had even changed jobs.
Peeta parked in a structure a block away from the restaurant. He put his arm around Katniss as they walked toward District Four. She was glad for his warmth because the temperature was much cooler near the water at night.
Once inside, they made their way past other patrons waiting for tables. Katniss spoke with the maître d'.
"We're here for the Trinket party."
"They're already seated. If you'll follow me."
Katniss followed with Peeta close behind. All the while her eyes roamed the crowded dining room in search of Peeta's old girlfriend. She had no idea what the woman looked like, but Katniss expected it was someone far more attractive than herself.
She could feel Peeta's hand on the small of her back. She leaned her head toward him. "Is she here?"
"I don't know. I'm not going to look for her."
"What does she look …" Katniss began, but they had already reached the table for six that was next to the window.
With three seats on each side of the table, Annie was closest to the window with Finnick beside her and Haymitch on the end. Effie was sitting across from Annie.
"Oh good you're here," Effie squealed.
From the dour looks on everyone else's faces, Katniss was beginning to think she'd made a big mistake when she'd agreed that she and Peeta would join them.
Katniss took the middle seat across from Finnick, while Peeta was on the end across from Haymitch.
"Did you have a productive day?" she asked politely when they were seated.
Finnick shook his head. "Nope. It was awful."
"It wasn't so bad," Annie said, nudging Finnick's arm. "There was that one place you liked."
"But it's not available until next year. I can't wait that long Annie. I want to get married now."
Finnick put his arm around his fiancé and kissed the side of her face."
Katniss looked on in envy at the certainty of the pair. No one seeing them would doubt their love, whereas ever since Peeta's revelation in the car she was growing more and more uncertain about their relationship.
Katniss turned to her boyfriend. He was hiding behind his menu.
"Do you see her?" she whispered a second time.
"No."
Katniss scanned the restaurant again. All of the women were younger and prettier than her. Damn.
She picked up the menu and surveyed it, making a note of the prices. She was glad she'd put extra cash in her wallet.
A young woman with reddish hair came up to the table. "Would you like to start with a drink?"
A glass of wine sounded tempting right now. Judging from the mood around the table, a couple of bottles would be great.
The waitress started at the far end looking to Annie. "I'd like some club soda."
"Me too," Finnick chimed in.
"Make it three," Haymitch said.
Effie looked up. "I'll have a glass of reisling."
An argument rose in Katniss' head as the drink orders were taken. Even though she desperately wanted alcohol, she also wanted to be as alert as possible should Peeta's old girlfriend suddenly appear.
"Club soda will be fine," she said.
Peeta dropped the menu. "I guess I'll have that too."
The server got a confused look on her face and then she said, "Peeta Mellark. I haven't seen you in ages. How are you?"
Peeta blushed. "Good, I'm good."
The woman wrote down his order. "Jeez I'll never forget that time you and …"
Peeta interrupted the woman. "I'd like to introduce you to my girlfriend Katniss." He grabbed Katniss' right hand, raised it to his lips and kissed it.
The woman's eyes grew big. "I'll get that drink order right now."
"Was that her?" Katniss leaned into Peeta.
"No, Lavinia was a co-worker.
Well if his old girlfriend was working tonight, she'd likely make an appearance soon once Lavinia told her that Peeta was in the restaurant.
Maybe it was Katniss' imagination, but it seemed like all of the women and even a couple of the male servers casually walked past their table to give Peeta a sidelong glance.
Soon Lavinia returned with their drinks.
Effie raised her glass in a toast and everyone followed. "To planning a wedding."
From the looks on the other's faces, Katniss could tell that they were all frustrated.
A different server arrived to take their dinner order. Another pretty girl, a bubbly, buxom blonde.
"Hello Peeta," she chirped when she got to the table. "Lavinia told me you were here tonight. She said you came with someone."
"I did. Delly, this is Katniss." He reached for Katniss' hand and turned to smile at her.
Katniss tilted her head toward Delly and raised her eyebrows as if to ask if she was the one, but Peeta quickly mouthed "no."
As soon as Delly finished taking the orders and left, Haymitch gave Peeta a leering grin. "How do you know every waitress in this place?"
The older man looked to Finnick. "He's as bad as you once were."
A dark look came over Finnick's face.
Annie leaned past Finnick to glare at Haymitch.
Effie took a long swallow of wine. "I'm going to powder my nose. Care to join me Annie and Katniss?"
Joining Effie in the restroom was the last thing Katniss wanted to do, but she supposed she might as well do it, simply to tell Effie and Annie what the hell was going on with Peeta and the wait staff.
"I'll be right back," she told Peeta as she followed the two women out of the main restaurant and into the ladies room located near to the entrance.
As soon as they got inside the ornate bathroom, with its marble countertops and sink, and large mirror, Effie turned to Annie.
"Okay what's going on with Finnick and Haymitch? He tells Finnick what to eat and drink. He has an opinion on every damn thing. We could have planned the entire wedding today if he hadn't been around to interfere."
Annie frowned. "He helps Finnick."
"Helps him?" Effie rolled her eyes. "How can that man possibly help anyone? Let me tell you something about him."
"You don't like Haymitch do you Aunt Effie?"
"I don't," she admitted. "In fact, I can't stand him."
Katniss wondered at Effie's loathing of the man. He hardly seemed worth such strong emotion. Katniss had a niggling sense that Effie had encountered Haymitch in the past.
"And what are those `meetings' they both keep running off to?"
Effie turned to Katniss to explain that Finnick and Haymitch had spent part of the afternoon attending a `meeting' while Annie and Effie looked for bridal wear.
Annie bit her lip. "Look Aunt Effie, if I tell you about it, you have to promise not to repeat a word back to Finnick. He'll be furious if he thinks I've been talking about him behind his back."
"Cross my heart," Effie said, drawing an `x' over her chest.
"Finnick's been having some problems lately. A few near slips."
Effie's brow furrowed.
Feeling like a fly on the wall during a very personal conversation, Katniss went into a bathroom stall to give the women more privacy.
But despite taking the opportunity to use the toilet, the sound of peeing didn't drown out Annie's words.
"Haymitch is Finnick's sponsor."
"Sponsor? What's that?"
"Finnick belongs to some recovery groups. He's had a bit of a past, but he's turned his life around completely. He wants to keep it that way so he asked Haymitch to come along to keep an eye on him."
Even though Katniss couldn't see Effie, she imagined the woman's mouth was open wide.
The room was silent for a moment and Katniss wondered if it was safe to leave the stall. She flushed the toilet and exited, going to the sink to wash her hands.
"Are you sure you want to marry him Annie?" Effie asked. "I know he's handsome and I've no doubt he's a wonder in bed."
In the mirror's reflection Annie's cheeks burned bright.
"We haven't gone to bed."
"What?" Effie shouted. "Why would you marry him if you haven't checked out the goods?"
Katniss snorted loudly. She couldn't help herself.
Effie turned to her. "And what are you laughing about? Peeta seems to know every waitress in this place. How many of them has he checked out?"
Katniss face grew warm.
Now was the perfect time to explain that Peeta's old girlfriend worked at District Four, but Katniss was still smarting from Effie's jab.
"Peeta's not like that."
But a small voice reminded her that Peeta had admitted to being something of a player in his younger days. But he'd changed, or so he told her. She would have gladly gone to bed with him weeks ago. But he was taking things slow, glacially slow, but still she trusted him.
Effie clicked her tongue in disapproval. "Well, I hope for your sake he isn't.
"We should probably get back," Effie said, turning to the sink and washing her hands. "The men will wonder where we are. And with all those attractive waitresses stopping by the table, you two may be in trouble."
Katniss stomach dropped at Effie's words, but Annie rolled her eyes and gave Katniss a reassuring smile.
They returned to the table to find the men discussing the pros and cons of owning a business. It seemed that Haymitch had owned a bar at one point in his life and Peeta was telling him about the bakery. Finnick was thinking about opening an online business selling fishing lures.
"My father had a boat and I grew up doing a lot of fishing," he said.
It dawned on Katniss that she didn't even know what Annie and Finnick did to earn a living. It seemed unusual because in her old life she'd always known exactly the kind of work that people around her did.
In fact, she'd often judged people by that very thing. Doctors, like her sister and brother-in-law, would be much more important in her eyes than someone, like herself, who currently worked the counter at a bakery.
But after talking to Dr. Aurelius ad nauseam about her judgmental past, among other things, she'd come to realize that it was the person that mattered most, not their means of employment. After all, she'd once held a position of authority and she was still the same person. Maybe even a better person after a few months of therapy.
Delly soon returned showing off arms of steel as she carried a large tray filled with plates. A male server appeared by her side setting out a small folding table for her to set the tray upon.
Once they were served, conversation died out at first while everyone savored the delicious food.
Katniss took the opportunity to furtively glance around the dining room in search of Peeta's beautiful, former girlfriend, while her boyfriend talked wedding cake design and cake flavors with Annie and Finnick.
"How's your fish?" Peeta asked her mid-bite.
Startled, she almost gagged on her halibut. When she was done coughing she answered him. "It's very good."
When everyone had finished eating, Delly returned to ask about dessert. But no one was interested.
"I'll get the check then." She returned with a narrow leather folder and set it on the end of the table.
Immediately Haymitch picked it up. "I've got this."
"No," Effie howled. She threw Haymitch a dirty look. "You're all my guests, I'm paying."
"I can pay for me and Peeta," Katniss interjected.
"No," Haymitch said firmly. "Why do you women feel such a need to take control? It's only a damn meal."
He shook his head at Katniss, and then turned toward Effie throwing her a dark look. But after a moment a strange expression came over his face.
"Well, I'll accept your generosity," Peeta said. "Thanks Haymitch. It was delicious."
Haymitch looked to Peeta. "You're welcome boy."
"You don't have to do this you know," Finnick told his friend.
"Don't you start too," Haymitch said as he pulled a credit card from his wallet.
The rest of them chimed in with their thanks as Delly picked up the leather folder and took it away.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Was she there tonight?" Katniss asked as they drove away from the restaurant.
"Does it matter?"
Katniss supposed it didn't. Peeta was her boyfriend now. He was dating her.
"Look I'm sorry I even mentioned it," Peeta continued. "I feel like I ruined your evening. But if you're interested, when you were in the restroom Delly told me that she moved out of Panem, out of the state in fact, so you don't have to worry about me running into her at all."
"I'm not worried about you running into her." Katniss voice dropped. "I think you like me."
I sound so pathetic, she thought.
Peeta checked his rear view mirror, put on his turn signal, and pulled the car over to the curb. He shut off the engine and turned toward Katniss. He slowly reached out to put a loose tendril of hair behind her ear, and then ran his hand down the side of her cheek.
"Like you? Is that what you think?" He shook his head at her, a half smile appearing on his face. "Katniss, I'm falling in love with you."
Her heart thumped loudly; she could hear the steady beat pounding in her ears. Did Peeta hear it too?
He leaned forward to kiss her. In that moment she searched her heart. Did she feel the same toward Peeta? Aagh, how would she even know? She'd never been in love before. Katniss knew exactly what she'd be talking about with Dr. Aurelius at her next appointment.