I'm really sorry for the wait and thank you if you keep reading this.. First I had too much school work to do and then my computer died and needed repairing and here I am after (I think) two months

CHAPTER 10

''Your girlfriend came to work,'' Rye winked.

''She's not my gir-never mind,'' I stopped myself from correcting his statement, because whatever I'll say he will still stick to his teasing. There's no use in wasting my energy for him, really.

''Suuuure,'' he whistled teasingly.

I rolled my eyes and walked to the front of the bakery to greet the girls. When I saw them I instantly smiled. Prim was chatting with Katniss, being all excited and cute, and Katniss stood patiently nodding and humoring her little sister.

''And then he told me- Peeta!'' Prim squealed and ran to hug me.

Not used to this affection, I froze at first, but soon hugged her back and smiled at her. ''Prim. How are you doing, lovely?'' I asked her.

She released me and blushed deeply. ''I'm alright, thank you.''

Katniss rolled her eyes at her sisters behavior and stepped forward. ''Where can Prim stay during I'll be on work?''

Rye then joined our conversation. ''I can keep her company, I have free afternoon anyway,'' he smirked. ''Come on Primrose, we can chat about make up, hair and the romance between our siblings. It will be great!'' he laughed.

Prim smirked at her sister, who I just noticed was blushing madly. ''Don't be ridiculous, Prim,'' Katniss said sternly to her little sister. ''Go on, I have work to do.'' With one last smug look at her sister's red cheeks, both Prim and Rye walked away laughing. Well, they sure connected quick.

I then turned to the beautiful girl in front of me and we made eye contact. ''We should, um, get to work.'' She nodded quickly and as quick as a lightning she was behind the counter ready to greet the costumers.

.

Back in the kitchen I wondered why Katniss reacted the way she did, when Rye mentioned about our supposed romance. There is none, well from her side there isn't, so why would she react the way she did? Maybe she was embarrassed to even think about us being together. God, life is so confusing.

I had never had a proper girlfriend or a serious relationship. Sure, I have had a few flings here and there but they didn't mean much to me. I would love to have a girlfriend to cherish, love and protect.

''Peeta?'' a soft voice called our for me.

''Yes?'' I turned around. There stood Katniss by the door, biting her lip. God, does she look sexy doing it. My eyes lingered on her full pink lips for a few moments before I finally looked up to meet her eyes.

''Can I talk to you?'' she asked nervously ''If you are not busy, of course.''

I nodded smiling softly at her and hoped I didn't look as desperate as I felt to be so close to her. I nodded her to come closer and, reluctantly, she did.

''So what do you want to talk about?'' I asked.

''Why are you always so nice to me?'' she asked so fast I almost couldn't catch what she was saying. I raised my eyebrow. ''I mean, first you offer me work and then you allow my sister to come with me to work and now your brother is spending time with her. You always smile or wave at me and you never gave me any hateful comments or glances just because I'm a seam-whore as many seem to think. I mean, you are Merchant, Peeta, and you waste time trying to be my friend. Why?'' This was the most I have ever heard Katniss speak. Without a breath.

''You are not a whore,'' I stated dully. ''Why would I be mean to you? Do you want me to stop talking to you and not be your friend?''

''No.. that's not what I meant,'' Katniss looked at her feet. ''I just don't understand. I have never had a stranger care for me as much as you seem to do. I never even knew you before and you just offer me a job at your family bakery.''

I lifted my hand and lightly grabbed her chin. I lifted it up to make eye contact with her. ''I want to be your friend Katniss. I do not care where you are from and who you hang out with. For all I cared you could wear a garbage bag and I would still consider you my friend. I like you the way you are.''

''You what?'' she whispered. I mentally groaned. Sure, Peeta, fuck up everything you have worked for. I basically just told her I like her as in more than a friend. I took a deep breath and stared in her eyes intensely. It's time to show the courage, which has been hiding inside me.

''I like you.''

''You.. like me?'' she repeated. I nodded slowly, still looking into her eyes to show her how serious I am. ''I like you. I have liked you for a long time,'' I confirmed.