His mouth leans in so closely to mine I open it expecting his tongue. Instead I feel his hot breath. "Did I mention how much I love it when you call me that?"

"Did I mention how much I hate it when you call him that?"

I let out the tiniest pang of breath when I hear him. This time fear and mortification keep me from opening my eyes.

His voice echoes from the hallway. "Whenever you two are done whatever this is I want to talk to you."

I tighten my hold on Finn and bury my face in the crook of his neck. If I could melt into the wall never to be seen again I would do in a heart beat.

"He said we could finish…"

My heart now beats of pure anger. If we had just stuck to my original plan…if he wasn't so persistent…if I wasn't so weak…if he didn't come in the first place…

I peel out of his arms and decide it's his turn to let him have it. "Shut up Finn! This isn't funny…it's horrible. This is not how it was supposed to happen. You think this is how I want everyone finding out? Do you have any idea how close I am to-"

"To losing it? You're already there sweetheart."

His snap insult takes the wind out of my sails and lungs. What on earth do I see in this man? This entire day is his fault. I could have come home to a warm reunion with my family…sure I may have still locked myself in the bathroom in response to my brother's announcement but I wouldn't have to play a covert agent trying to hide a secret that is decreasing in value as every second passes.

"Can we get this over with please? Janaya's family is on their way and I need some answers." We don't break our glare even as we walk to the hallway.

Rowan's leaning against the wall looking almost as upset as this morning. He's probably going to need some form of counseling after I've…no after Finn has traumatized him nearly twice today.

"Him, I want to talk to him." He nods his head in Finn's direction.

"I think I can answer your questions better than him," I say feeling just a tad defensive.

"We tried that. It was like squeezing water out of a rock. If I'm going to get the truth here somehow I don't think it'll be from you. No offense Vi."

Sure. None taken. I've just been kicked out of the one conversation I've been avoiding all day. Still, I leave Finn to explain everything even though it's the second least appealing way I want anyone to find out. I hide in the stairway as they don't even wait to make sure I'm out of ear shot.

"So where do you want me to start?"

"You can start by leaving her alone Finn. We, as in the whole world knows you're not a commitment kind of guy. When you drop her like all the others she is going to be crushed and I'm not going to stand-"

"Commitment?! She's the one who won't commit. I've proposed to her everyday for nearly two months. The closest I've gotten her to commit is having her promise to tell your parents."

"You've…asked her to marry you? Ok, I need you to go back a little. What the hell is really going on between you?"

"I love her Finn. And as far as she's told me she loves me too. We both felt it the day she stepped of the train. I thought it was crazy at first, her being so young. But I can't imagine my life without her Rowan. I would do anything for her. I love everything about her. The way she chews her food, sleeps, everything. Even they way she's fighting telling your mom and dad. Don't tell her that part. But-"

"She loves you? She's actually said that? Those exact words have come out of her mouth? Voluntarily?"

I can practically hear Finn grin. "You know how difficult it is to get her to do anything she doesn't want to do. It's become quite the challenge getting her this far."

"Well…I guess apologies are in order."

"You don't have to apologize. It's not like she was going to tell you like a normal person."

"No…I mean I'm sorry you had to fall in love with the one person who detests everything about love. I'm sure she's planned my death several times today if I wasn't going to agree to not tell. I can't believe she's…wow. When mom and dad do find out…wow."

Rowan and Finn are now in cahoots against me. Rowan makes certain I leave the house first as Janaya's family arrives. Don't want anyone walking in on you two for a third time today? Must be love if Vi can't control herself every minute she's alone with you..

So comical they are. Well it's not going to be funny when Finn sleeps alone when we get back to Four is it? And he can forget about that favor. He most certainly did not keep up his end of the bargain and I have the wrinkled sheet to prove it. Or Willow does, little does she know. Maybe I'll even let that little tidbit slip at dinner tonight. Then their claws will come out.

"Violet, I could use some help with dinner." I'm snapped out of my pity party at my mother's request.

"Be right there." I look out the window and see no sight of Finn leaving the guest house. Dad is at the bakery making dessert but will be home soon to help and Haymitch is sleeping away the day until his next meal. Rowan is still playing with Janaya for her family but Finn has no reason to be there. This shouldn't bother me. The farther away from me the better. But I don't think I'll completely calm while he and his new best friend bond over how heartless I am.

I do the mindless job of cutting vegetables while mom prepares two ducks and potatoes for roasting. The kitchen hasn't been renovated since I was born but their double ovens are still more advanced than anything my parents had when they were young. It won't take more than an hour to cook dinner.

I take my time and slowly chop the collection of vegetables my mother grew from her own garden. A short half an hour later I've finished my workload and Finn still hasn't graced us with his presence. Chopping kept me focused on something other than what else is Finn discussing. Is he confessing anything to Rowan that he hasn't told me? That he wants children but he won't even dare to bring that subject up yet? I have more issues than having a commitment phobia?

"Are you ok sweet pea?"

"Fine, just thinking about leaving tomorrow. So much work to go back to, you know." I almost forgot my mother was in the kitchen with me I was so focused on not thinking about exactly what I was just thinking about.

"It won't be long before you're back for good next time. I can't believe your father let you go for this long."

I roll my eyes. "Ok, I may have my moments where I wanted to pick you up and bring you home myself." That's more like it. "But it made it easier for me knowing Finn was there for you. You two seem to have grown quite close?"

She says that like it's a question and she's waiting for an answer. I've told her on the phone he's been a good friend and been a great help to me. I wasn't going to add anything that may imply anything more. "He's been great. A little over protective though. He didn't trust me to travel to Twelve alone."

She smiles. "It's what we do with the ones we love Violet. Protect each other." I pause for a second. That was too innocent of a comment to be true. Once she starts bringing up Annie I relax. She just thinks of Finn and his mother like family. And they are. They've picked each other up every time one of them has fallen. Whenever Finn was sick and Annie believed he was going to die my parents jumped on the first train there and would stay for days even after he was better. Annie counseled my mother through both of her pregnancies. They talk less these days but the love and respect they have for each other is still there.

"Aw, honey, you made dinner." My shoulders tense up and I feel the blood race to my cheeks as Finn wraps one arm around me. My mother laughs and turns around to inspect the ovens.

I attempt to shrug off his arm to no avail. He deadens his weight on me and says, "Have I told you how much your daughter means to me Katniss?" My mind is racing. This is not part of the plan. I'm not ready. But Finn has made it impossible for me to run now.