AN/ Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I wanted to get this chapter right.

Almost immediately after I end the vlog, I get a call from Rye.

"So you really like Katniss, huh," he says instead of saying hello first.

"Rye. Come on. It wasn't that obvious. Oh crap, it was, wasn't it?" I begin pacing back and forth.

"Peeta. Calm down. Let's start with some basics."

"Can I just go over to your place and talk?" I ask, interrupting him.

"Well, Marie, Marley, and I are visiting Dad. I'm sure Dad would like to see you too." Rye says.

I hear voices in the background. "Hey, Peeta," Dad says.

"Hi, Dad. How's the bakery?" I ask sitting down on my couch.

"Rye is really stepping up. How's the bakery startup going?" he asks. I hear him pull a chair out and huff out a sigh.

"It's slow, but going okay. I've got some regular customers."

"I'd like to see how it's coming. I know your mother doesn't approve, but I do."

"Really?" I ask. I'm shocked but only by a little.

"Yeah I believe in you Peeta. You know, I did the same thing."

"You did? Was grandpa mad at you?" I ask.

Dad chuckles. "No. Very supportive." I hear more background noise and the phone is handed back to Rye.

"Can I come over now? I could use a few hours away from Mom before the storm." He asks.

"Sure, I'm headed over to check on it anyway. There were a couple trees down on the way back to town when we came back this morning." I say reaching for my sweatshirt, only to realize Katniss has it still.

"We?" Rye asks jokingly.

"Yeah. It's a long story."

"Is Katniss in your life now?" He asks.

I sigh and walk out to my car. "Why do you assume that?"

"Peeta. I can hear it in your voice."

I shake my head even though he can't see me. "I'll see you in 10 minutes." This is going to be awkward, but I could use the advice in person.

When he gets to the bakery, I'm cleaning up some tree branches at the front entrance.

I wave him over.

He greets me with a hug.

"So you know about last night with Katniss, right?" I ask, running my hand through my hair.

"Yes, I do." Rye says. "Why?"

"So, Katniss has opened up a landscape shop up the road."

"Uh huh. And she's the other half of your we? The one you text me about."

"Yes. She is. You know that Rye. So what do I do?"

He walks over and pats me on the back. "That depends on how you feel about her."

"Who said I had feelings for her?"

I avoid making any eye contact with him.

"Peeta. You're as red as a tomato."

"Rye. I just talked for the first time in years, not even two months ago. I'm crazy." I say sitting at a barstool.

My phone dings in my pocket. I pull it out and I'm sure I'm ten times as red as I was before.

Katniss

Hi Peeta. It's Katniss. Um there's another storm coming and I want to bring some things from the shop. Could I get a ride? Prim is on campus today….ps I still have your sweatshirt

Rye puts both hands on my shoulder. "Peeta. If this is how you act when she asks a simple favor. You need to ask her out."

I let out a breath I don't realize I'm holding. "Do you mind? She doesn't like storms and I'd like to be there for her."

"Wow little bro. You sure you aren't in love?" Rye nudges my shoulder.

I fumble with my fingers. "Can someone fall in love in 2 or 3 weeks?"

"Peeta, please. You've had a huge crush on her forever. You just never had the guts to ever talk to her."

I nudge him back, knowing it's the truth. And stare at the text and reply to Katniss and wait for her response.

Hi Katniss. Of course! I can be there in 20 minutes.

I start pacing back and forth "Will you go with me to her shop to see if it's damaged first?" I ask Rye.

Rye just sits there staring at me as though I've lost my mind.

My phone pings again.

Thank you so much! I owe you something.

"I think you should do this alone, Peeta. I'll stay here, if you need any advice, but just take it slow." Rye says as he ushers me out the door.

"Good luck!" He calls as I get in my car and put in the coordinates for Katniss's house.