On Monday morning Peeta places the Mockingjay pin in it's place in the display case at his store, then goes about preparing for the day. When he sees Rye pull up in the bakery truck, he goes out to help him carry in the trays.

Peeta is unconscious of the fact that he's whistling as he arranges the fresh bakery items in the case, a permanent smile plastered on his face.

"What's the good news?" asks Rye, watching him with amusement from the other side of the counter.

"What?" says Peeta, glancing quickly at Rye before going back to his task of moving the cheese buns to the back of the tray and pushing the raspberry scones forward.

"What do you mean 'What'?" replies Rye. "You're all wound up about something." Rye looks around the store, as if searching for the reason for Peeta's good mood. "You sell a painting or something?"

Peeta shakes his head, chuckling. "Nah," he says.

"Win the lottery?" asks Rye.

"No. No. Its just….it's a beautiful day, Rye. I'm just enjoying it," Peeta says, a gleam in his eye.

Rye rolls his eyes, smacking the countertop with his palm as he turns to leave the store. "Yeah, right. Fine, don't tell me," he says lightheartedly. "But I expect all the details later when you're ready to spill."

Peeta comes around the display case and pats Rye roughly on the back. "You'll be the first to know if something exciting happens to me, bro," Peeta says, smiling at his brother.

"Mmm-hmmm, sure" Rye returns, opening the door to leave. Peeta has turned to walk away when the door opens again and Rye pops his head back inside. "Wait—did you meet someone?" he asks.

Peeta smiles a tight-lipped smile and turns to walk away again. "I'm coming back for the details Peet. I know something's up with you," Rye calls loudly as he lets the door close behind him again.

…..

Katniss shows up around 2:00 in the afternoon. Peeta nods in greeting when she comes through the door, then continues with his customer, who is currently examining a 1930s dresser.

"It's not exactly what I was picturing, but I think it will fit the space," the woman is saying.

"It's a high quality piece," Peeta says, opening the top drawer. "Do you see how the wood has been dove-tailed to fit together on these corners? I think if you were to re-stain this piece, and maybe change out the drawer pulls on the front…" He closes the top drawer and motions to the old brass knobs running down the front of the dresser.

"Yes! That would look nice," exclaims the lady. "You do have an eye for these things, Peeta," she goes on.

"Want to think about it a little more?" Peeta asks. "I'm happy to hold it for you."

"No, I think it will work nicely," the lady concludes. "I'll take it. I'll have Jim come by with the truck tomorrow and pick it up, if that's okay."

"That works," Peeta replies. "It'll be right here."

Katniss has been wandering around the store, waiting for Peeta to finish with the customer. She eventually comes to the display case which holds the Mockingjay pin, where she stops, gazing at it fondly.

"See something in there you like?" Peeta asks, jokingly, as he approaches her. "Sorry about that," he says, gesturing toward the door where the woman buying the dresser has just exited.

"Don't be," Katniss replies, looking up at him. "That's what you're here for."

Peeta nods in agreement. That is true.

They stand there in silence, taking each other in, until Katniss finally bites her lip and begins drumming her fingers on the top of the display case. "Well, ummm…" she starts.

"Your money!" Peeta suddenly blurts. "Let me get it for you." He turns abruptly and walks quickly to the register, which he opens, pulling out the envelope with Katniss' name on it.

Katniss' face flushes a bit as she follows him to the register. "I was thinking," she says hesitantly, watching as he holds the envelope out toward her. "What if…what if I just take another $200. That way, if no one buys the pin, I won't owe you as much back."

Peeta shakes his head, smiling kindly at her. "Katniss, I already told you—I'm not expecting you to buy it back. Even if it doesn't sell right away…sometimes these things take awhile. Some of the things in this shop I've had for years."

She purses her lips, seeming to think of another way out of taking the envelope, which she still hasn't taken from Peeta's outstretched hand.

"But still," she says, "I don't like to carry that much cash around. Maybe you could just keep it here for me, and I'll just take what I need today."

At this Peeta's eyebrows raise, but he doesn't argue. He doesn't say the obvious, which is, 'why don't you put it in your bank account?' He simply smiles and retracts his arm, opening the envelope and fishing out $200, which he hands to Katniss.

"This enough?" he asks.

She takes the money readily from him this time, returning his smile with a small one of her own. "Yes," she says, "Thank you."

"No, thank you," Peeta says, sincerely.

Katniss turns back to the display case and gives the Mockingjay pin one last longing look, then turns back to Peeta. "Well, I'll see you soon," she says.

"Yeah, see you soon," Peeta replies. She's halfway out the door when he has a thought. "Hey Katniss?"

"Yeah?" she says, turning back to look at him over her shoulder.

"Would you—I mean, I was just about to have some tea. I always like it better with some company," Peeta finishes, giving her a sheepish smile.

She pauses, looking out into the open field just beyond the store, and he's sure she's just trying to come up with the right words to let him down nicely. Then she looks back at him, her gray eyes seeming softer than they were just moments before. "I could do that," she murmurs. Then she steps back inside and closes the door behind her quietly.

…

"So," Peeta says, setting down the plate of re-heated cheese buns and two mugs of tea. "How did your sister—Prim?—like the cookies you gave her?"

At this Katniss breaks into the largest smile Peeta has seen on her face yet. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and glances away, still smiling. "She said they were the best cookies she has ever eaten," Katniss responds.

"And what about you—what did you think?" Peeta asks.

"Oh I didn't try them, but I'm sure they were delicious," she says.

"What, she didn't share?" Peeta says in a teasing voice.

"Oh, no, she offered," Katniss quickly amends. "I just didn't want to take any. They were a gift for her. A treat." She reaches down and pinches off a small section of one of the cheese buns and holds it up, smirking at him. "Besides, I prefer savory treats to sweet."

"Noted," Peeta responds, smiling at her in wonder. This new side of her—the one where she opens up and is actually joking around with him—is better than anything he could have expected.