So Peeta has been thoroughly reprimanded by Finnick. We understand who Cressida is now. But Peeta has to tell Katniss and change his attitude if he wants to win her over. Let's see if he followed his assignment:

Thank you to Norbertsmom for beating and remember I do not own the Hunger Games.

The knock on her door startled Katniss. It was super early in the morning, and there usually wasn't anyone else in the office so early. Katniss looked up to see Peeta standing in her doorway and the pen she held rolled across the paper and landed with a soft thud at his feet.

She watched him bend down and pick up her pen. He wasn't wearing a jacket and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up. Her mouth went dry at the sight of his forearms. Katniss wondered why the sight of his muscular forearms framed by his rolled-up sleeve looked so sexy.

Why did she find him so appealing? He was typically a jerk toward her, her nemesis. Although, when he held her wrist and asked her to stay, his eyes were sympathetic. In hindsight, he looked desperate. Katniss would have sat right back down, had Cressida not scared her away. Well who was she kidding, Cressida was gorgeous, and despite her makeover, she still didn't see herself as a great beauty. In her head, she was still plain Katniss.

Still, he asked her, Katniss Everdeen, to stay with such need.

Yet she behaved like a mouse when the light turned on, running for cover.

Katniss was mad at herself for running away because it dawned on her they had been civil toward each other during the meeting, and they actually got along during lunch. True, Peeta hadn't noted how she looked. But he did compliment her mother's handmade sweater. Plus, he brought her leftovers and dessert, and left it on her desk with a sweet note that read: "Dessert wasn't the same without you."

It was sweet and completely unexpected from him. Now, this morning, he stood in front of her desk looking better than the dessert he had left. She bet he tasted better too.

"Morning," Peeta said, placing the pen on her desktop.

"Good Morning," she greeted.

For a moment they stared at each other. The air was charged between them, it caused goosebumps to erupt on her skin. Katniss couldn't look away. She was fascinated by the way his eyes widened then darkened. Her eyes traveled to his lips and she could recall how they felt pressed against hers. The way he tasted, sweet combination of cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar.

She took a deep breath and she could smell his addictive scent. Her hands itched to reach out and pull him closer and bury her face in his neck. The urge to plant her lips on his was overwhelming. And when his eyes dipped to her lips, Katniss sat up straighter and forced herself to tear her gaze away from Peeta.

Katniss looked down at her emails to try to compose herself. She wondered why he was here. "Is there anything I can help you with?" she asked. Her hands were shaky, so she placed them on her lap.

"About yesterday."

"You don't have to explain."

"I do," he stammered and he blushed.

Men didn't blush, did they? But here in front of her was Peeta Mellark, her mortal adversary, the man she dreamt of at night wrapped up in his sweater; looked ruddy and boyish.

"It's okay, I know you're seeing Cressida and it's none of my business." She cleared her throat before she asked again, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I wanted to tell you how nice you looked yesterday and to say I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad for the way you dressed. I was a prick. What I should have said is that this meeting is important and that you should pack a few evening outfits that are for after work, you know, for dinners and such."

Her mouth hung open.

"Just...you...I mean you are doing a great job...and I'm not seeing Cressida." He then shook his head then muttered, "I'm totally messing this up."

His words caused her to flush and she closed her mouth. Was Peeta Mellark telling her he was single? Katniss was tempted to look behind her and make sure there wasn't anyone standing there. "I'm sorry?"

"It's a business thing with Cressida. She and I, we're not together. I'm not dating her or anyone." He smiled and it wasn't that cocky grin she was used to. This was a soft smile that caused his face to become splotchy. His eyes even conveyed warmth.

It took all of her strength to keep her jaw from falling open again. Was he trying to flirt with her? Her heart hammered in her chest. He was so handsome; his eyes glittered like jewels and it occurred to Katniss, that this sweet and genuine smile was all for her.

"Is this a ploy to get your sweater back?" She blurted the first thing that came flying through her addled brain.

He laughed, then grinned. "Maybe. I just want to know if you're being good to my sweater and not making it a doll to stick pins into."

Katniss found herself smiling back at him. "Don't know, the day is still early."

He put his hand up with the Boy Scout sign, before saying, "I swear I will be on my best behavior."

"Okay."

"I have a question," he paused. He slipped his hands in his pockets.

Katniss waited while he shuffled his feet.

"If you had the chance to work for another company and make more money, would you?"

"Another company?"

"Let's imagine I came to you with an opportunity to work with me at another company. Someplace where you were offered a better position and more money. A place where you wouldn't have to worry about Snow."

Katniss wasn't sure what Peeta was saying.

"I know I don't make sense, but if the opportunity arose, would you take it?"

"More money and a better work environment?"

"Yeah," Peeta took a step toward her.

"If it would help my family, then yes."

He looked relieved at her answer and he smiled and his shoulders relaxed. "Okay."

"Okay," Katniss said quietly. Something shifted between them and she felt the earth shake beneath her feet. Her heart pounded against her chest. He turned to leave and Katniss found the breath she held escaped.

"Oh and Katniss, I am glad we were paired together."

"You are?"

"Yeah, I'd be a fool, if I didn't realize how talented and smart you are. Not to mention savvy and beautiful."

His parting words had her turning into a hot mess.

Katniss couldn't believe Peeta called her savvy and beautiful. Her cheeks became inflamed. She didn't know what was worse: when Peeta traded barbs with her or when he paid her compliments. When they fought, she knew where she stood and she could defend herself. Yet when he was sweet and kind she didn't know how to handle that. Unless, of course, she hid from him.

The idea of avoiding him took root and for the next few days, she began doing just that. Her biggest problem during the day became Peeta, not the haughty pain in the neck Peeta. It was the sweet, kind, Peeta who made her feel things she wasn't ready for. She didn't want to deal with the emotions he evoked, instead she did what any normal person deep in denial would do, she focused on old reliable work.

Each night she stripped herself of the clothing Cinna got for her and pulled on that comfy sweater. It was her favorite thing because she told herself the man who owned this sweater and lent it to Annie, was not a skirt chaser.

Katniss began to study him. She noticed that he never flirted with any of the women with whom he interacted. He was always friendly, courteous, and professional. He was professional and generous with the team. She was beginning to think he really was a good guy.

Her imagination took flight after they had gone down to marketing where they were having a photoshoot. Three of the models threw him sensual looks and Peeta didn't act interested. He didn't flirt. In fact, he called Katniss to stand by him. Peeta quietly asked her not to let him be alone with the women.

Katniss witnessed the way the long-legged svelte women with perfect faces flirted unabashedly with him, and he remained a courteous gentleman. Peeta did not flirt back, nor did he sneak a peek at the women when they sauntered in front of him. These women failed to get a reaction out of him. Yet when she mentioned his sweater, his ears had gone pink. And Katniss was certain Peeta watched when she walked away during lunch.

"What do you think?" Peeta asked as he looked at the screen. They were in a meeting for a holiday sales pitch that could be used nationally in the District Thirteen Discount Stores.

Cinna cleared his throat. "Katniss, he's waiting for you."

"Me?" Katniss' eyes turned toward Peeta.

"Katniss, I trust you. You have impeccable taste and you know this account." Peeta smiled.

"Ah," Katniss didn't know what to say. She focused on the image before them. The image showed three women dressed in holiday sparkly dresses making a toast in front of a decorated tree. It was beautiful. But it was missing out on the essence of the shoppers who frequented the discount stores. "It's a great shot, but it's missing families."

"Families?" Lyme asked skeptically.

Cinna began writing.

"Go on," Peeta encouraged.

"The bulk of the Shoppers who go to District Thirteen Discount stores are families." Katniss looked to Peeta, who was beaming. "Grandparents who buy chachkies for their homes and presents for their grandkids."

"Chachkies?" Lyme questioned.

"What my mother calls dust collectors, bric-a-brac, collectibles, you know things you use to decorate," Katniss said.

"What other thoughts do you have?" Peeta asked.

"We should focus on new couples celebrating their first Christmas together. Show families decorating for the holidays and exchanging gifts. We can place the product in the background and in the foreground." Katniss took a teapot from the props they didn't use and put it on a table and within moments she had different things set up on the table in an attractive display. "Something like that."

"Good notes, family hearth," Cinna said.

"Excellent job, Katniss, as always," Peeta said.

Katniss couldn't believe he had sought her opinion, listened, and then gave her praise.

"Do you think we can get other models in?" Peeta asked.

"Sure," Cinna said.

"Great!"

Katniss had gone home ridiculously happy that day. Peeta was not into glamazons with legs for days. She told herself the owner of this sweater was into homey girls who were in desperate need of cuddles, walks in the woods, and earthy rustic food.

Somehow during her time in the company, her opinion of Peeta had shifted. He wasn't her sworn enemy anymore. She wasn't his subordinate, she was his equal. He was the man she wanted to know, the man who understood she didn't need anyone but wanted to be needed just the same.

Yet despite all of this she hid the coward that she was, from him. She avoided him, avoided sitting next to him, she only emailed, never called him, and never was alone with him. She avoided him every which way she could.