I'm so sorry for updating so late! The school year is coming to a close but I managed to finish this chapter up during my last bio lecture, haha. I'll be updating again soon, I promise! After next week I'll be trying to update as frequently as I can. Thanks for all of you who have waited so patiently! I hope this chapter is worth it. A big thank you to my best friend Krystle for her good vibes and great review of this chapter! I'm also in need of a beta reader. If anyone knows someone, send them my way! Message me on here or on my tumblr (kasskaban). Thanks for reading!
I do not own The Hunger Games.
Chapter Jams: "Blood Bank" by Bon Iver.
KE
"Hello, Katniss," Peeta Mellark had said, my hand disappearing in his larger one. They were scarred from multiple burns of the ovens and calloused from work. His bright blue eyes searched my own in wonder, while I eyed his carefully. His body had stiffened with our touch- why, I didn't know. But I wanted to, because I felt my heart begin to beat frantically. Why was I so nervous? Why had he affected me in that way? Reese made me anxious but Peeta… this was the weird butterflies-in-my-stomach kind of nervous. A nervousness I haven't felt since I pined over the whole men's swim team or how in love I was with my beautiful Shakespearean literature professor in college. I never even felt that way with Gale Hawthorne, my childhood best friend and the only boyfriend I have ever had.
Peeta's hand finally dropped mine and we continued to stare at each other until I felt Reese lead me to a table in the middle of the bakery, his hand on my lower back- a little too low, if you ask me. Peeta's eyes narrowed and excused himself to the kitchen in the back of the building.
The date with Reese went okay- well, it wasn't a disaster, per se. He was nice, courteous and funny, for the most part. We talked about the sports we played growing up- I learned that he played rugby so I told him about the competitions I attended. He seemed pretty impressed, which annoyed me a little. Peeta would only come out to serve us the three courses he had prepared for us, or to clear the table. Our hands would brush occasionally as he passed our plates, his eyes finding mine and I would quickly look away. The food, oh, the food! Not only were the dishes plated beautifully, they tasted phenomenal. I did my best to stifle the tiny squeaks of pleasure but I'm sure he could hear me as soon as he walked away. I was so embarrassed. I would occasionally sneak tiny glances at the kitchen door when Reese wasn't staring at me. I felt guilty for neglecting the sole reason as to why I was here. He didn't seem to notice as he asked me more questions about my likes and interests- typical date conversation. Reese and I had very little in common and the conversation was full of awkward silences and picking at our food.
"Peeta!" Reese had said, clapping a large hand on his brother's shoulder at the end of the evening. Reese rubbed his protruding belly and made an okay sign with his free hand. "Fantastic dinner, baby brother. You have outdone yourself." He ruffled Peeta's wavy blonde hair. Peeta smoothed the strays out of his face and grabbed the dishes I was trying to clear away.
"Thank you, but I got this," he said, taking the dishes from my hands. I blush again and reach for my braid before I realized I had it wrapped around my head. I dropped my hands quickly, fidgeting slightly. Fiddling with my braid was a comfort. Why had I let Johanna convince me to wear my hair up when she knew I was going to be nervous and awkward?
"The food was amazing, by the way. Thank you," I said sincerely. His face broke into a blinding grin. A flutter deep in my chest startled me as I drank it in. His eyes crinkled at the corners, his mouth pulled up higher at one side, giving him an adorable lopsided grin. I bet that drives the girls wild, I thought. My eyes grazed over his full lips, down to his jaw line and further down to his broad shoulders, the muscles bulging slightly underneath the short sleeves of his dark grey shirt. Peeta had a stocky, strong build like his brother. He had to be shorter than Reese by only a mere couple of inches. I licked my lips involuntarily and busied my hands with the hem of my blouse.
"It was my pleasure," he murmured, his voice pulling my eyes back to his. They bore into mine searchingly, suddenly darker before disappearing into the kitchen. Reese, sensing the date to be over (to my relief), drove me home and distracted me from my usual car induced anxiety with small talk. He parked in my dimly lit driveway and leaned towards me, waiting for me to reciprocate the action. I closed the distance only a few inches and shut my eyes as soon as his lips crashed into mine. I pulled away quickly and thanked him for a nice time before I hurriedly climbed out of his large truck. I was careful enough to not slam the door and rushed up the porch steps before I turned around and waved at him as he drove away, his face unreadable in the dark.
I lay here now twelve hours later in my bed replaying last night over and over again. No one's ever made me as nervous as Peeta Mellark had. I run my hands through my hair, now a mess from the multiple braids I donned last night. I wonder what his hands would feel like curling and entangling themselves in the waves. I blush self consciously and nestle deeper into my bed, relishing in the warmth it brings. Johanna and I finally found and hired three trainers for the gym, which means a whole Saturday off for me.
My mind wanders back to the thought of Peeta's hands in my hair, convincing myself to give into these thoughts just once. What's the harm? He's gorgeous, you're alone, just let it go. What are the odds you'll ever see him again? I close my eyes and imagine my hands are his as I trail them down lightly from my hair and down to the sensitive areas around my neck. The tingling sensations from my touch raise goose-bumps along my skin and travels down between my legs. Fuck, what am I doing? I think feebly, moving my hands down to trace feather soft circles around my breasts through the thin material of my sleeping shirt. Thinking of the way his calloused hands would feel on my hot skin made every nerve in my body awaken. I take a now perky nipple in between my thumb and forefinger and squeeze gently. A soft hiss escapes my lips and I gasp, clapping my hands over my mouth.
"Shit." I sigh and mentally shake it off. I'm alone. I'm alone! Quit being paranoid.
Placing a hand back on my breast, I use the other to repeat the soft circular motions down my sides and onto my stomach. I massage one breast and move onto the other, focusing on the feeling it brings and not the action itself. I imagine Peeta's mouth trailing kisses down my neck to between the valley of my breasts, pausing only to take a nipple into his mouth. I whimper at the thought as I slip a hand into my panties and find myself slick with want. I find the bundle of nerves and begin to stroke slowly. My imaginary Peeta makes his way down my breasts, to my stomach and in between my legs, nuzzling the mound of sensitive flesh with his nose and begins with broad licks with his tongue. I begin to stroke faster, my breathing frantic and moans now uncensored. My body feels like its on fire as I imagine him suckling on my clit. I can feel myself reaching closer and closer to my climax. The only thing I see in my mind when I come is Peeta's smirking face, dripping in my need.
"Christ," I gasp as I lay panting in a bundled heap on my bed. When was the last time I've touched myself? Was it weeks? More like months, it felt like. I feel the tension in my body unravel as I catch my breath. Johanna's right. I am too uptight. Maybe I should do this more often…
The shrill sound of my phone startles me back to the present. I flip over and crawl all over my bed, throwing pillows and blankets around as I search for my phone. The green phone case glistens in a little patch of sunlight on the floor and I lunge for it, fumbling to slide my finger across the screen to answer.
"Katniss? Katniss!" Primrose says, her voice sounding distant. Oh shit. In my foolish attempt to rid Peeta Mellark from my thoughts (and honestly, it only made it worse), I had forgotten my sister was visiting today. I crawl back onto my bed and place my head in my free hand in shame.
"Katniss? Are you there?" Prim says irritably. I can't really blame her. I'd be pretty pissed myself.
"Yeah, sorry, Prim. I, uh, kinda zoned out for a while, I'm sorry. Where are you?"
"I called you three times. What were you doing? You know what, don't tell me. I'm pretty close, give me about half an hour and I should be there. Please tell me you have food," Prim pleads. I groan. I was supposed to grab groceries this morning but decided try to and sleep in, which failed. I rise from my bed and make my way into the bathroom and turn on the shower.
"Uh, no, sorry, Prim," I grimace, holding my hand out to the water to feel the temperature. Prim sighs and I feel the guilt wash over me. This is what happens when you fantasize about boys you can't have, Katniss, I chastise myself. "Let me take you out to lunch. Then we can grab some groceries for dinner."
"Sure, but we have to eat dinner tonight at mom's," Prim calls out. That's right. I can't believe I forgot about that as well.
"That's fine. I'll see you in a bit," I say, and Prim hangs up. I sigh and run my hands through my knotted hair. For some bizarre reason I thought today was going to be stress free. Nevertheless, I get to see Prim and that's all that matters. Ever since she began the nursing program at a university a few hours away, her visits have been less and less. I miss her presence and the casual buffer she had become between Althea, our mother, and I. When our father died, she had become too depressed and withdrawn. She took months off from work to grieve, but she forgot about the only family she had left. I had to be there for Prim, even though I was the one with him when he died. I fought so hard to overcome the crippling despair I felt, and continue to feel, for Prim. It's been four years, and I still haven't forgiven her… forgiven myself…
I jump into the shower and attempt to scrub away the sadness.
"Hey, Little Duck."
I wait for Prim on the front porch, squinting out at her as she runs to the back of her car to get her things. The sun is shining for the first time in weeks and a warm humidity settles in the mountains. I tuck my hands into the back pockets of my jeans as Prim slams the trunk of her car shut. She shrugs her duffel bag over her shoulder and trudges up the graveled driveway. The sunlight makes her long blonde hair shine bright and the freckles splashed across her cheeks stand out. Prim sets her bag down at our feet and launches herself into my outstretched arms.
"Hi, Katniss. I've missed you." I close my eyes and squeeze my sister tight. I still see her as the child I helped raise instead of the twenty year old before me. I glance down and notice the back of her flannel shirt untucked. I chuckle and pat her behind lightly. Prim grins and tucks it back into her jeans. I let go of her and grab her bag.
"Let's get some food, I'm starving," I say, heading back into the cabin. I managed to clean up a bit before Prim arrived. The living room was free of paperwork and the dishes have been put in the dishwasher. I make my way into my bedroom and place my sister's bag on the bed. Prim leans arms crossed against the doorway when I turn around. She eyes me carefully. I raise an eyebrow at her.
"How have you been, Katniss?" she asks. I groan inwardly and sit on the edge of the mattress. I pat the spot next to me, but Prim stays glued to her spot. I sigh. I never escape the drilling questions when she's around.
"I've been, you know. Busy."
"Busy."
"Yes, you know me. Business woman Katniss Everdeen, reporting for duty, Captain Prim," I say, imitating a salute. She narrows her eyes.
"Katniss, you're always busy. I know it's a good thing in a way, but I worry about you. You don't call as much anymore. I know the symptoms; I know what to look out for in PTSD-" I shake my head at her. Prim's nostrils flare, clearly frustrated with me.
"I don't have that, Prim. I'm fine."
"How many hours of sleep did you get last night?"
I look away from her piercing glare and focus my attention at the dust particles swimming in the sunlight. Ever since the accident I've been plagued with nightmares that made sleeping a rare luxury. It has eased up some over the years, but they still turn up every now and then and sleep becomes impossible. I hardly sleep much anymore, maybe five hours at the most if I'm lucky. Lack of sleep isn't uncommon for me anymore; it's just something I've gotten used to in the past four years, that and a lot of other things that I won't worry Prim about. She worries enough over me as it is. When did our roles switch? I was the protector, not the protected. I give her a small smile.
"I slept pretty well last night. Please, Prim, let's go to lunch. My treat!" I jump to my feet and grab her hand, pulling her along down the stairs. "You drive, though."
Prim and I seat ourselves in a small table near the large window, waiting for our order number to be called out. Downtown Blue Mountain is alive with activity due to the beautiful day. I can see the farmer's market tent across the square, little children pulling their parents this way and that, locals chatting outside of restaurants and stores, and I can hear the birds sing from outside. I settle into my seat, sipping on my tea contentedly as I people watch. Sae's Bistro was a favorite haunt of ours, having come here frequently as teens. Prim begins to chat about school and her volunteer work at a free clinic, stirring her drink as she prattles along. I smile widely at her. I'm so proud of the young woman she's become and the road she is headed despite everything she's been through. Father's death, our mother's lack of guidance, and me, well… I wasn't around much either sometimes. Mentally, not physically. But I was better than our mother. I at least tried to keep it together. I feel a strong urge to reach out and hold her hand but I don't want to explain what I'm feeling to her. The immense guilt and regret is too painful. I take a sip of tea to calm me down.
"Anyway, Clove and I ended things a couple of weeks ago and honestly I think it's a good thing. She was too bossy and controlling," Prim says, rolling her eyes. I look away from the window and focus back on the conversation.
"Wait, why didn't you tell me this?" I ask in surprise. My sister and her girlfriend Clove Henry have been off and on again for the last year and a half. Prim shrugged and tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder.
"I just got tired of her shit, you know? I was doing all of the work in the relationship. I wasn't too hung up about it, so I didn't think it'd matter." I pat her hand lightly.
"She was a total bitch," I say comfortingly, and Prim barks out a laugh and nods.
"Yes, definitely. So! Any men in your life lately, Katniss? Were you too busy kicking him out of your bed before I got here?" she says, wiggling her eye brows at me. If only… I am about to answer when our number is called out. Prim takes a swig of her drink and hops up. "I'll grab that," she says and heads off to the counter. I sigh, thankful for the interruption. I grab an abandoned straw and tear the end off to use on Prim and smirk to myself. She sits back down and places my turkey BLT in front of me. Right as I bring the straw to my lips, ready to strike, she leans over and whispers, "So there is a hunky blonde man staring at you over by the counter." I give her a confused look and she points behind me. Turning, I see Peeta leaning against the counter talking to a very pretty dark skinned girl, though his bright blue eyes are looking right into mine. I quickly turn back around and feel my neck beginning to turn red.
Prim sits back into her chair and pops a chip into her mouth, smirking at me. "I'm psychic! Who is he? He's cute. Though not as cute as the girl he's talking to."
I look down at my sandwich and can feel both Prim and Peeta's stares drilling holes into the front and back of my head. She kicks me from underneath the table.
"They're coming over."
Oh god.
I look down at my lap and fumble with the hem of my grey blouse. I can feel the heat creep from my neck and onto my face. Prim leans back into her seat, smiling politely at Peeta and his friend (his very pretty friend) as they make their way over to our table.
"Katniss?"
I can feel his powerful frame standing over me and my heart races. I swallow a few times to rid the frog in my throat and look up. I see those kind eyes of his crinkling at the corners. He holds a coffee in one hand and a bag of fruit in the other. I notice that instead of an apron, he's wearing dark blue jeans and a red t-shirt that hugs his upper body perfectly. His ashy blond hair falls over his forehead in small waves and I long to know what it feels like to run my hands through them. I glance at Prim who is raising her eyebrows at me. Peeta shuffles awkwardly after a minute or two of silence. For some reason, I can't seem to speak. My mouth has gone dry.
"Am… Am I bothering you? I'm sorry, I just had to make sure it was you before I came over here," he chuckles nervously. A wave of guilt washes over me.
"Oh, no! I'm sorry," I say, a little too quickly. I see Peeta deflate and I can't help but find him to be incredibly adorable. "I wasn't expecting you, is all." Prim coughs expectantly and smiles widely at Peeta and his friend. "Oh, yeah, this is my little sister Primrose."
"Prim," she corrects me and I roll my eyes. Peeta turns to the girl next to him.
"This is Rue. She is also, in a way, my little sister. Well, the little sister I never had," he says, nudging her gently. She laughs and adjusts the to-go carrier of coffee drinks to shake our hands. Prim bats her eyelashes at Rue and she smiles.
"I work at the bakery with Peeta and Reese. It's nice to finally meet you, Katniss. I've heard so much about-" Peeta coughs, cutting Rue off and blushes a bit. What did she mean? She probably heard about me from Reese. Peeta and I only met yesterday.
"You own a bakery?" Prim asks and leans on the table with her chin in her hand. She flashes Rue a flirty smile. Peeta nods.
"Yeah, my brother and I do. It's about two blocks from here. You all should stop by later. I'll give you a discount," he says and winks at us. My cheeks flush, which doesn't go unnoticed by Prim.
"Oh, we will," she says seriously. She looks over at me. "Won't we, Katniss?" Peeta glances down at me hopefully. My heart flutters in my chest. Jesus Christ, Everdeen, pull it together.
"Sure," I say nonchalantly as possible. His face breaks out in a blinding grin. I cannot handle anymore of his beauty. I can't help but smile back at him, it's contagious.
"Fantastic!" he exclaims, but quickly glances at his watch. "Oh man, we better get going. We left Reese all alone," he chuckles. He glances back down at me. "I'll see you later then?" he asks quietly. I'm momentarily captivated by the fullness of his lips. They look so soft. I force my eyes to meet his and nod. Peeta gives me that lopsided grin of his and turns back to Prim. "It was nice meeting you, Prim," he says to her and shakes her hand again.
"See y'all later!" Rue says as she waves goodbye and leads Peeta to the exit. We watch them exit the small restaurant and once they were out of sight, I exhale the breath I didn't really realize I was holding and begin to bite into my cold sandwich. I can feel Prim's eyes boring into my skull. I can practically sense the hundreds of questions she wants to ask, and before I know it, they tumble out of her mouth.
"How do you know him? What was that about? Who is she? Who is he? Why were you two eye fucking each other the whole time?"
I practically choke on my sandwich. I glance up at Prim, whose arms are crossed and eyes narrowed.
"I'm sorry, what?" I manage to say between coughs. Eye fucking? I was not eye fucking him.
"You heard me! He couldn't keep his eyes off of you! And when you weren't too busy being a complete idiot, you looked like you wanted to climb him like a tree."
"What!" I hiss. Prim rolls her eyes at me and turns her attention back to her food. "Don't be so crass, Prim. Johanna is rubbing off on you too much." She flips me off. "I do not want to climb him like a tree." I slump back into my seat and pick at crumbs. Of course I want to climb him like a tree. I want to do so many things to that gorgeous man. There's just something about those beautiful blue eyes and crooked smile- just his overall demeanor- that pulls me to him. It's magnetic. It's electrical. It's-
"Katniss."
I glance up from my food to find a smirking Prim across the table. I sigh. Well, I gotta talk to someone about this eventually. Might as well be Prim.
"Okay, okay. You got me. God you are so annoying." She beams and motions for me to continue. I give her one last pleading look but I'm met with a chip thrown at me. I'll never get out of this conversation. "I had a date last night."
Prim's eyes widen as big as saucers. "Really? With him?"
I shake my head. "No, with his brother Reese. He came by work last week and signed up. Next thing you know he's asking me out on a date and so I said yes."
Prim whistles in shock. I should be offended at my sister's lack of faith in me to date men, but I don't. I continue with my story.
"Anyway, he picks me up and shows me around the bakery. I meet Peeta, who cooked us an amazing dinner. Prim, I cannot even begin to describe how fantastic everything tasted. It's like it came straight out of a cook book." My turkey sandwich doesn't come close to anything of Peeta's that I've tasted. That man has a gift.
"Quit your babbling and get to the good stuff, Katniss," grumbled Prim.
"Okay, well, Reese and I don't have a lot in common. We're both pretty athletic and like funny movies and that's pretty much it. By the end of the night it got a little awkward. He took me home, kissed me good night, and that was it."
"Yeah yeah, so how does Peeta fit into all of this?" she asks. I shrug.
"I don't really know." I slump back into my chair glumly. How does Peeta Mellark fit into all of this? "He's attractive and sweet. So is Reese, don't get me wrong, but there is something about him that just stuck with me." I don't know how else to describe the effect Peeta has on me. He just latched on to me and I can't seem to shake him off. I don't think I want to, either.
"You like him." Prim smiles slightly and sips her drink. "You like him, Katniss. I can tell."
"Oh I don't know about that…" I mumble, hoping Prim would just drop the subject already. My anxiety levels are through the roof.
"Oh hush, now. You like him! What's so wrong about liking someone? How long has it been since Gale? It's okay to need people sometimes, Katniss."
I can sense she's hinting at something else, but I wave that feeling away.
"Prim, I don't have time to date people. I have a business to run. I have classes to teach. I have clients who need me."
"I'm not asking you to just drop all of your responsibilities. Peeta's cute, and he seems really into you. Besides, you don't have to date him. He can be like your fuck buddy."
I grimace. "No, I'd rather not do that. I'm not the kind of girl who does that kind of thing." Prim shrugs and munches on her food. The idea of Peeta Mellark being a "fuck buddy" isn't unappealing, but there is something about him that makes me feel like that wouldn't be an option.
"Well, you can never have too many friends. God knows you need more of those around, Katniss. Johanna and I will get tired of you eventually," Prim teases. I stick my tongue out at her and we fall into a fit of giggles.
Be friends with Peeta Mellark? Now that is something I can do.
"Prim, can't we buy bread elsewhere?" I plead as I follow Prim down the quiet street to Peeta's bakery. Prim hops over a puddle and shakes her head.
"No way, Katniss. We told Peeta and Rue we'd stop by. Now quit whining! It's just bread."
Who would've thought buying bread, of all things, would make me so anxious? We near the front door and Prim stops, waiting for me to catch up. I adjust the bag of groceries to my hip and nod. She gives me an encouraging grin and steps inside. We're greeted with a ringing of bells that hang from the door knob and a gust of warm scented air as we enter the old brick building. I smell cinnamon and dill and my mouth becomes dangerously close to watering. A couple of patrons sit in wrought iron chairs as they read their newspaper and nibble on pastries and a small line of customers stand in front of the register. I see Reese and Rue up front with the customers. Reese glances up at the noise and a look of surprise etches his face. I give a small wave and smile.
"He's cute," Prim whispers as she studies him and the rest of the bakery. I shrug.
"He is," I say, walking to one of the cases of French bread. I do my best to avoid the front counter. I was hoping Reese wouldn't be up front when we arrived but I was wrong. I can hear the floorboards behind me creek with weight.
"Prim, what should we get? I don't know anything about bread and I didn't ask mom what she wanted."
"Well, if you're making anything with pasta, you can never go wrong with a good baguette, but I did make some garlic bread about an hour ago," mutters a low voice close to my ear. I jump and turn around and am met with a chuckling Peeta. I shoot him a glare and he holds up his hands in defense.
"Sorry about that, I couldn't resist," he says with a grin. I relax my shoulders and smile nervously.
"It's okay. I just thought you were Prim."
He points over to the counter and I spy Prim leaning against it and in deep conversation with Rue. I roll my eyes. Prim has a bad habit with flirting with any pretty girl that walks into the room.
"It looks like my sister likes your sister," I say, adjusting the bag of groceries in my arms.
"I would've never have thought," Peeta says in mock surprise. I raise an eyebrow. He continues, "Oh, my gay-dar is pretty spectacular. Don't worry, Rue's into her as well." He eyes the bag in my hands. "Would you like to set those down? I can take them back into the kitchen while you look around if you want."
I shake my head. He's so nice and considerate. I noticed that he changed out of his red shirt and back into the grey Mellark Family Bakery t-shirt I first met him in. Flour is all over the front of his apron and on his arms. There are even some bits of it stuck in his hair.
"Thanks, but we don't plan to be here for long. Prim wanted to stop by and we needed bread anyway," I say, my eyes moving back to his and down to his full mouth. I can only visualize what they'd feel like trailing kisses down my neck and stomach, like the way I imagined him doing this morning. This morning. I blush and look down immediately. I can't be thinking that way around him. I glance back up to his face and notice him smiling at me.
"So, how can I help you, Katniss? Like I said, I did make some garlic bread this morning, and some cheesy buns just came out of the oven," he says, leading me down the length of the store and pointing at clear case filled to the top with seasoned bread. Loaves of bread baked with what looks like rosemary and parmesan catch my eye. He turns back to me and I crash into his chest.
"Shit, I'm so sorry," I mumble hurriedly and suddenly, I freeze. Peeta Mellark's arms were wrapped around me, keeping me from tumbling to the ground. He smiles down at me and quickly lets go.
"No, don't be. I'm the one who should be sorry," he says as he runs a hand through his hair. He laughs. "I'm messing this up, aren't I?" he asks. Judging by the confused look on my face, he shakes his head. "Sorry, forget I said anything. I'll throw in a free treat for you since it was my fault you almost broke your neck."
"Oh no, it's okay, really! I shouldn't have been distracted," I say, motioning towards the glass case. Peeta grabs tongs from his apron pocket and opens the case door. He glances back at me and I nod when he reaches the rosemary bread.
"Ah, good choice! This one is one of my favorites. Only a couple of hours old," Peeta says and quickly wraps the loaf in parchment paper. I take the bread.
"Thank you, Peeta," I say, inhaling the wonderful aroma.
"Any time, Katniss. Honestly, I didn't expect you would show up today," he admits, moving back to the case to grab a loaf of garlic bread.
I'm taken aback and a little annoyed that he would assume that but he is right. I didn't want to come around, but I'm glad I did. I feel a little guilty that he would feel that way. Did I really give off that vibe?
"Well, I try to stick true to my word," I say as we make our way back to the front counter. Prim and Rue were still in deep conversation and Reese is nowhere to be found. Peeta walks around to stand behind the register.
"That's a good quality to have," he says. Peeta pulls a paper bag from somewhere underneath and places the loaves inside. "Oh, before I forget, I'll be right back," he winks and disappears to the back room. He appears again with two large boxes and sets them in front of me.
"Some cheesy buns and," he opens the top box and my mouth waters at the sight of the muffins inside. "Fresh cranberry almond muffins, straight from the cooling rack."
Peeta grins as I pull one gently out of the box- they're irresistible- and sink my teeth into the warm bread. My eyes close and I hum my content as I chew. I give him a thumbs up as I finish off the muffin.
"That was amazing. All these carbs will be the death of me, Peeta Mellark," I say as I dig around my purse to find my wallet.
"Don't worry about it. It's on the house," he says. I shake my head.
"Oh no, these are definitely worth paying for." I hold my bank card out to him but he places his hands in his apron pockets.
"It's a gift! Repayment for almost knocking you down and for gracing us with your presence," he says sincerely. I know that no matter what I say he won't relent. I sigh.
"Fine," I huff and close my wallet when suddenly an idea comes to mind.
"Since you won't take my money, how about a couple of free classes or training sessions at my gym?"
Peeta's eyes widen.
"Those are pretty pricey. I don't think-"
"Think of it as two businesses helping each other out," I say. It's honestly the least I could do for his generosity. It's good for business, I convince myself as I go back into my purse and dig around for a business card. I find one and slide it towards him.
"Take my card. It's has my info, our hours, and our website where you can read up on our classes and what our sessions offer," I explain. I smile at him as he places it in the back pocket of his jeans.
"I just might take you up on that, Katniss," he says as he pushes the bags of goodies my way. I turn to Prim, who's watching me with a smug look on her face. I roll my eyes and hand her the bag of groceries so I can handle the new load. Rue gives me a wave before she disappears into the kitchen. I turn back to Peeta, whose smile is unwavering.
"Pleasure doing business with you, Peeta," I say, adjusting the bag in my arms.
"I'm looking forward to doing business with you again," he chuckles. "Thanks for coming by," he says quietly. I give him a small smile.
"No problem." I glance behind Peeta to the door leading to the kitchen. "Would you mind telling Reese I said hi?" I say awkwardly. I don't fail to notice the sudden shift in mood. Peeta nods curtly.
"Yeah, sure. He's out back in the kitchen working on an order. I'll let him know," he mutters, wiping at some mess I can't see.
"Okay… well, I'll see you soon, then?"
I'm surprised at my courage, but I really would like to see Peeta again. I did convince myself that I would try to be friends with him, after all. The way Peeta perks up again makes my heart flutter.
"Yes, definitely."
I turn and make my way to the front door. I can feel his eyes following me and I turn to wave goodbye before exiting the bakery.
"I knew you liked him," Prim says after a while as we walk to her car. We place the groceries and bread in the trunk and buckle ourselves in. I turn to her and say, with a shrug, "Like you said- it doesn't hurt to try and make more friends."
I wouldn't want to risk a relationship with anyone right now, especially with someone like Peeta. Business at the gym is booming and I'm too- how did Johanna put it? - 'fucked up' to bring anyone romantic into my crazy life. It's obvious that the feelings I have for the boy with the bread won't die. I might as well smother them with friendship.