Chapter 5

September

I wrap the freshly baked cinnamon rolls for Caesar Flickerman and hand them over to him with a smile.

"I hope your murder mystery party goes well," I say to him as he tucks the rolls under his arm.

"I am sure if will be delightful! I really am a fantastic host!" he exclaims.

I smile at him again and he waves at me as goes out the door. He is not a man who could be described as modest.

"Will that man ever stop dying his hair?" Bonnie asks once he is a good distance from the shop. "He looks like the Queen of Hearts with that red hair and lips!"

The corners of my mouth tug up into a smile. It is true Caesar Flickerman changes his hair colour frequently. In the 5 weeks I have worked here his hair has been green, orange and now red. I suppose his appearance keeps us entertained.

Bonnie finishes rearranging the cake display in the window before turning around and pulling off her apron.

"I need to get going for that doctor's appointment. The toe has turned green now," she states as she hangs up her apron on a peg.

I scrunch my nose in disgust. Bonnie has an issue with over sharing. Her ingrown toenail has been described to me in graphic detail. Peeta comes through just as she is putting on her jacket. He offered to take the last 2 hours of her shift so that she can go and get her toe checked out. I smile at him as he enters.

"I hope everything goes okay at the doctors. I still expect you in tomorrow even if they have to amputate," Peeta jokes.

Bonnie shakes her head at him as she pulls her ponytail through her jacket collar.

"So glad to know I have such an understanding boss," Bonnie replies sarcastically.

"Employee satisfaction is important to me," Peeta grins.

Bonnie rolls her eyes before picking up her satchel and waving goodbye to us as she pushes the door to leave.

Peeta turns to me now with a big smile.

"It's your lucky day Katniss. A whole 2 hours with me!" he says.

"I get paid extra to put up with your silly ass right?" I ask sarcastically.

Peeta laughs.

"Just you wait and see. I've spent years working this front. I know all the best ways to have fun out here," he replies.

It is my turn to grin before the next customer comes in and Peeta greets them cheerily.

The truth is I don't mind working with Peeta at all. In fact I almost look forward to it. Since I started work here I have gotten to know him pretty well. He's more than just my boss. He always comes through to have lunch with me. He asks about Sage and we talk about the bands we both like. Though I was mildly appalled when I discovered he has an affiliation for 90's boybands. He's just easy to talk to and he makes me laugh. He's filled the void that Gale and Johanna vacated. I would even classify him as a friend.

I watch him interact with the customers as they come through the door and marvel at how easy it is for him. He sets up a rapport with them instantly. He greets them with a cheery smile and kind words that I never for a second doubt aren't genuine. It is just natural for him. I may think I am doing alright with the customers and even getting a rapport with some of the more regular ones, but it is nothing compared to how Peeta acts with them. Whether it is being silly with the small children, talking sports with the teenage boys or inquiring about grandchildren with old ladies, Peeta charms everyone that walks through that door. It is not what I would have expected from someone related to Glimmer.

"How are you and Glimmer even related?" I ask after Peeta has just finished joking with a middle aged housewife. "It would kill Glimmer to be that nice."

Peeta chuckles.

"Glim definitely takes after Mom. I think it doesn't help that we have all spoiled her rotten over the years. She's used to getting what she wants without having to be nice about it," he replies.

I shake my head in disbelief at him.

"I'd still be asking for a DNA test if I were you. You are just complete opposites," I state.

Peeta shrugs his shoulders.

"Where you the exact same as your sister?" he asks.

I look down at me feet. He has a point. Prim and I didn't even look alike. She was blonde haired and blue eyed while I am dark with grey eyes. She looked more like Peeta's sister than mine. And while I am wilder and adventurous, Prim was sweet and kind. A lot of people would have questioned that we were related too.

"I know she gives you a hard time and I don't condone many of her actions but she is still my little sister you know? A lot of it is an effort to stay cool. She hasn't quite figured out that you don't need to be cruel to be so," Peeta adds.

I ponder his words for a moment. It's strange hearing him talk about Glimmer in this way. She has been a topic we have avoided so far. I have just had too much shit from her to ever be sympathetic towards her. I'll just have to trust Peeta that she has some redeeming qualities.

A little while later one of The Tributes songs starts playing on the radio. Peeta, who has started to sweep the floor, begins to sing quietly along. However after he has only sung a few lines I find myself having to stifle a giggle. Peeta hears me and looks at me with a confused grin.

"What?" he asks.

"Nothing. It's just you're a really bad singer." I reply with a grin.

Peeta pretends to look shocked and clutches a hand to his chest.

"So you are not below insulting the boss?" he teases.

"Have you ever heard of a key? It's what some people sing in," I reply raising my eyebrows at him.

Peeta returns my stare and crosses his arms over his chest. I notice how the material of his polo shirt strains around his biceps as he does so.

"Let's see if you can do better," he challenges.

I narrow my eyes at him. I match his stare.

"Fine," I say accepting his challenge.

I wait for an appropriate point in the song before I join in with the soft melody. The lyrics come tumbling out of my lips naturally. Singing is something that I have always been good at and enjoyed. I used to love singing old folk tunes with my dad on one of our many camping trips. Recently I have sang nursery rhymes more than anything else, it is one of the easiest ways to calm Sage down, but is hasn't dented my enjoyment any less.

I close my eyes as I lose myself in the song. Maybe I should feel self-conscious that I am standing in front of Peeta singing but it doesn't bother me. Music and singing has always been an escape for me.

I open my eyes once the song has finished to find Peeta staring at me transfixed. I suddenly become self-conscious under his gaze and I cross my arms across my chest protectively as I begin to shift about uncomfortably on my feet.

"So I may not be the best singer in the world but it should have sounded something a bit like that," I say awkwardly as I keep my eyes trained on the ground.

My words seem to break Peeta out of whatever trance he is in.

"Oh no, Katniss! That was amazing! I swear all the birds outside just stopped to listen to you sing," Peeta exclaims.

I blush a little at his words. That is a bit of an exaggeration.

"A million times better than me any way," Peeta adds.

I look up to meet his eyes and see that he isn't making fun of me and genuinely liked the sound of my voice. I smile gratefully at him, a small blush on my cheeks, before picking up his broom and finish the sweeping myself. It's seems I am not immune from his charms.

At the end of the day I pull on my coat and gather up my things. I no longer rush out at the end of the day. I am getting better at leaving Sage. Instead I linger talking to Peeta.

"So you still coming to the staff party tonight? I've invited some friends from high school too. It should be a good night," Peeta asks as he sorts some papers on his desk.

I groan. I don't want to go to this party tonight.

The Mellark's are throwing a big party for all their employees across the 4 bakeries they own in the city. The Mellark's pay for everything and I have heard that most people end up almost paralytic at the end of the night. This would have been right up my street a year ago but since Sage was born parties like that have lost their appeal. I would rather spend the night in playing with Sage.

And then there is Mrs Mellark. She has already made it clear that she does not like me working here. She spent over an hour in Peeta's office my first week detailing all the reasons why it is a bad idea hiring me. She is a snob and has never had to interact with people from my side of the city. She has made no attempt to hide her hatred for the Seam and all its inhabitants. Bonnie has told me that she has increased the number of visits to our branch since I have started working here. I am certain it is to check up on me and make sure I am not stealing. I know she is just looking for an excuse to fire me. I am determined I won't give her the satisfaction to do so.

"I don't know," I say. "I might just stay in and play with bubbles with Sage."

I see Peeta's face drop at my words.

"You have to come. If you do, you might get to see my awesome dance moves." he propositions wriggling his eyebrows.

I can't help it, I grin. Peeta just always knows what to say to make me smile. He is giving me his puppy dog eyes and I can feel my resolve weakening. Mom has been encouraging me to go to this party as well. She says I need to get used to spending time away Sage and to stop feeling guilty about enjoying myself without her. An evening with Peeta may not be a bad way to do that.

"I'll come," I sigh and Peeta's face immediately breaks into a huge grin.

"Awesome! I'll get you your first drink," he says.

I smile and nod at him before saying goodbye and catching the bus back home.

The first thing I do is go through to Sage to check she is okay. I think she is close to teething and has become fussier lately. I find her in her chair happily chewing on a teething ring.

"Mommy's home," I say to her, kissing the top of her head. "Did you have a good day?"

Sage gurgles at me and bangs her toy on the side of the chair. I smile at her again and smooth the hair down on the top of her head.

"How was she today?" I ask turning to Mom. I'm concerned that the teething will cause her a lot of discomfort.

"She was fine. Just a lot of drool but that's to be expected from a baby who about to start teething," Mom replies.

I nod my head in understanding but still don't like the thought of my baby being in any type of discomfort.

It is still not easy for me to leave her 3 times a week to go to work. I miss her like crazy and the guilt of leaving her is constantly with me. But I am getting better at handling it. I no longer call Mom during every break I get and allow myself to enjoy some of the small moments there.

"Are you still going out tonight?" Mom asks hopefully.

I nod my head with my eyes still focused on Sage.

"Peeta persuaded me to go. I still don't think I will be able to enjoy myself though," I sigh.

"You seem to be getting on well with Peeta. I think it will be good for you to hang out with people your own age again. Don't feel guilty for sometimes to act your age," Mom says with a smile.

"Peeta's hardly my age. He's 4 years older than me and graduated from college. I don't really know why he wants to spend time with an eighteen-year-old single mom. There must be a lot cooler and more mature people he could hang out with," I state.

"He's just a nice guy. I knew his dad in high school and Wheaton was always the friendliest person on campus."

I am surprised that Mom knew Mr Mellark. I sometimes forget she didn't grow up in Seam like Dad. She must have come from the same side of town as Peeta's parents. It strange to think they might have been friends in high school. Their lives are so different now.

Sage begins banging her toy harder against the edge of her chair to get our attention. I turn away from Mom to look at my daughter.

"Sage we don't bang things like that," I scold taking the toy off her. She begins to whimper as I do and I have to pick her up to stop her from crying.

"Come on munchkin. Let's give you a bath before I have to go out," I say to her rocking her gently to calm her. It has the desired effect and I take her through for her bath. I still have a list of chores before I can begin getting ready myself.

I stand in front of the mirror tying and untying me hair, indecisive about what I want to do with it. This is the first party I have been to in almost a year. Nothing in my wardrobe seems appropriate now that I have a 4 month old daughter. I have eventually settled on a pair of dark skinny jeans and sparkly black tank top but I can't decide what to do with my hair. I haven't dressed up in so long and I feel like I have forgotten how to. This party is becoming more of a hassle as time wears on.

With a loud huff I tear out the band in my hair and decide to just leave it down. Why do I even care? It's not like there is anyone there I want to impress. I slide on a layer of lipstick and slap on a coating of mascara and eyeliner before deciding that is enough effort for tonight and begin to gather up my things into a small red clutch bag.

Mom is playing with Sage in the living room when I enter and she stops to look at me as I do so.

"You look nice," she says.

I just nod my head at her compliment and bend down to say goodbye to Sage.

"Mommy will miss you," I say stroking her hair. "I'll be back later okay. I won't be gone long."

I kiss the top of her head and then stand up and say goodbye to my mom before making my way to the door to leave. I blow Sage a kiss at the door before I go.

I have to take the bus to the Mellark's large detached house on the edge of the town. The long bus journey does not help my nerves. I don't want to have to see Mrs Mellark and don't really want to spend time around lots of people from the merchant side of town. I begin debating how long I can stay before it is acceptable to leave.

I can hear the music muted softly by the walls as I approach the house. There is a sign on the front door telling guests to come straight through to the yard out back. I make my way gingerly round, a little intimidated by the wealth the Mellark's have. The house is huge with brightly white painted shutters and impressive old stone brick work. The yard is no less expensive, vibrant with lots of different colours and polished looking sculptures.

I scan the crowd hoping to find Peeta or someone else I recognise but the place is already full of activity which makes it harder to spot people. However I don't have to search too long as Peeta catches my eye and waves me over. I take a sigh of relief and go over to join him by an elaborate water fountain.

He smiles brightly as I come over and greets me enthusiastically.

"Almost thought you had stood me up," he says. "Sage okay with your Mom?"

I nod my head.

"I think she prefers her to me. I feel like I see her less," I reply.

Peeta smiles at my sympathetically and gives my arm a little squeeze. I jump a little from the shock of his warm touch.

"Well I promised you a drink," he says after a moment, my eyes glued to the spot where he just touched me. "These are my friends from high school. Thresh, Delly and Madge. We are all coming to terms to living back here after 4 years away. We're using alcohol to help us get through it. Everyone this is Katniss."

I study the other people around me. Peeta had told me he had invited friends from school but I wasn't prepared to how inadequate they would make me feel. They have all been to college and away from home. They are proper adults now. I feel like a failure next to them.

"What do you want?" Peeta asks.

"Just a cranberry juice," I reply.

"You'll be the one carrying us home then," Peeta jokes before dashing off to collect my drink.

I stare at the people he has left me with, not knowing what to say. They smile at me in greeting but an awkward silence falls over us as no one knows how to start a conversation without Peeta.

Thresh is a tall dark skinned man with closely cropped black hair and muscles a professional wrestler would be proud of. His sear size should be enough to intimidate me but there is a gentleness in his eyes that makes me warm to him.

The other two people are both girls with blonde hair and blue eyes. I recognise Madge as the Mayor's daughter. She has her sleek blonde hair pulled up into an elaborate knot and wears a proper looking blouse, but her leather trousers hint at a slightly rebellious side. Delly on the other hand is slightly curvier and the definition of the girl next door, with blond ringlets and pastel coloured dress.

I look at them awkwardly and pray for Peeta to come back quickly with the drinks. Thankfully he is only gone a couple of minutes and I try to relax now that he is back to ease the tension. Thresh takes a sip of the beer Peeta has just brought him before directing a question at me.

"So you are the girl that Peeta can't stop talking about with the awesome taste in music," he says.

I am a bit taken aback by his comment. Peeta talks about me? A lot?

"Yeah I guess," I reply.

"I've never known someone who knows so many different bands. It's definitely an education working with Katniss."

"Well I'm just glad we have found another person to help convince Delly that Gloss Diamond is not the ultimate word in music," Madge cuts in.

"It's the blue eyes," Delly says dreamily.

All her other friends shake their head at her in frustration at her obvious love for the corny teenage solo artist.

"Well I think Peeta proves that blue eyes don't make you a good singer," I reply feeling a bit bolder.

Thresh raises his eyebrows with impressed surprise at my comment and both Delly and Madge fall about giggling.

"Hey! I never claimed to be the next John Lennon!" Peeta exclaims but I can see the grin hiding behind his eyes.

My mouth tugs upwards into a smile as I join his friends in laughter. I catch Peeta's eye and I see him give me a nod of approval. I am doing well with his friends.

After that I feel more at ease with his friends and enjoy the way they all tease and laugh with each other. You can tell they have been good friends for years and although they have all spent the last four years away from each other at college, now that they are all back they have picked right off where the left it. It reminds me of how Gale and I used to be before everything became strained. They make a real effort to include me in their conversation and fill me in on some of their inside jokes. I begin to feel like I can be one of them.

I find for the first time in a long time I can forget about missing Sage.

"I tell you man, it sucks living at home. I'm so used to doing whatever I want when I want to. Now I'm back on my mom's schedule," Thresh complains.

Now they are all back from college, both he and Delly are back living with their parents while they figure out what they want to do with their life and get a job. Peeta and Madge are the only ones with "proper" jobs as Peeta obviously helps running the bakeries and Madge works for a finance company in the city's business district.

"Well hurry up and figure out what you want to do with your life. Then you can have enough money to move out. You can finally live with me liked we talked about in freshman year of high school! Halo nights 3 times a week!" Peeta exclaims.

"Easy for you to say," Delly says. "You have known you have wanted to work in the bakeries since you could toddle. You always served the best plastic bread at your tea parties."

I smile as I imagine a little Peeta playing tea party in his toy kitchen. I picture him taking it very seriously and insisting the tea is poured before anyone can eat the toy cake.

Listening to Delly and Thresh doesn't make me feel quite so bad about my own life. I may have few qualifications and no idea what I want to do with life, but it seems having a college degree doesn't help you discover that either. It's nice to know I am not the only one still living at home with no clue where their life is going.

The group carry on talking about different job prospects for both Delly and Thresh when Peeta suddenly spots someone over Thresh's shoulder and goes pale.

"What the hell?" he asks clearly confused.

The rest of his friends turn to look at who he is staring at and I see Delly make a silent "oh" when she spots the tall blonde girl with green eyes standing by the gate. The girl catches sight of Peeta and smiles broadly at him before making her way over.

Peeta shakes his head at her as she approaches.

"Cash…what are you doing here?" he asks clearly surprised.

"You're Mom invited me down. I've missed you," the girl says placing a hand on Peeta's forearm.

Peeta's eyes cloud over a little at the mention of his mom but my eyes are fixed on the place where this girl is touching him. I don't know why but the sight makes me uneasy and I decide I don't like her.

"Let's go somewhere quieter," Peeta mutters tugging her hand away and dragging her round to the side of the house.

I can feel all his friends eyes following him go.

"What the fuck?" Madge declares.

"Who is that?" I ask extremely curious to know.

"Cashmere. Peeta's ex. They dated all through college but he broke up with her shortly after they graduated. Seems his mom can't quite let go," Thresh explains.

I get an unexpected sinking feeling in my chest.

"I can't believe she would pull something like this!" Delly adds.

The rest of them all nod in agreement and begin a discussion about how controlling Peeta's mom is. I zone out most of the conversation as I keep an eye on Peeta and the girl at the side of the house. Cashmere? What type of name is that? It's a fabric. Naming a child that should be illegal. I really can't warm to her.

I see Peeta end his conversation with her and she looks down in disappointment. I feel relieved, but instead of coming back over to us he storms over to his mom and whispers angrily in her ear. His mom smiles politely and excuses herself from her friends so that she and Peeta can talk in private.

I am so focused on Peeta and his mom angrily discussing Cashmere that I miss Delly asking me a question.

"Sorry," I say coming back to the present. "What did you say?"

"I was just asking about you daughter. Sage is her name, right?" Delly asks.

I am a bit taken a back that she know Sage's name. How much does Peeta say about me when I am not around?

"Yeah she's four months old," I reply.

I don't let myself dwell on Peeta and his mother any longer. It's none of my business. I can talk about Sage. I focus on that.

At times it feels like she is all I can talk about. She is so ingrained in my life now. I sometimes worry that I bore Peeta with all my stories about her. But his friends seem genuinely interested in her and I eagerly take the opportunity to talk about her and distract myself from what Peeta may be saying.

"Oh how cute!" Delly squeals. "My brother and his wife just had a baby. I think they are learning how to function without sleep!"

"It becomes a skill," I reply with a smile. "Along with multitasking."

Delly nods her head and begins asking me lots of question about Sage and what she can do so far. Thresh and Madge even pop in a question every now and again. I like how I can talk to them without their judgement or pity. Just like Peeta they are genuinely interested in Sage. Delly even gives me her number stating that I have to bring Sage and meet her for coffee. I take the number gratefully and for the first time in months feel like I may have made some friends.

Eventually all the cranberry juice settles in my bladder and I have to go and relieve myself. I tell Peeta's friends that I will back in a minute before I go off on my search for the bathroom. They are not too hard to locate and I am able to rejoin the party quickly. However on my way out I trip over a forlorn Peeta who sits crouched against the wall.

"Oww," I say as I stub my toe. Peeta looks up at me as I collapse on the ground next to him and rub the pain in my big toe.

"Sorry. Probably not the best place to wallow," Peeta says disheartened.

I am not used to seeing Peeta this way, solemn and down beat. It doesn't suit him.

"Everything okay?" I ask.

He lifts his head to look over at me.

"Just my mother. She thinks she knows what is best for me," he says wearily.

"She invited your ex-girlfriend huh," I state.

Peeta bobs his head.

"I knew she hated it when I broke up with her. I think Mom was in love with Cashmere more than I was. She had the right background, her family's full of lawyers in New York, she is athletic and smart and beautiful. My mom's ideal mate for me. She even gave me my grandmother's ring to give to her on graduation," he sighs.

I am a little shocked that Mrs Mellark is so pushy towards her son. I suddenly realise Peeta has pressures in his life that I will never quite understand.

"Why did you break up with her?" I ask. I know I shouldn't ask. It's too personal and I don't know him that well but I discover I have to know.

"I just realised that I didn't love her enough to ask her to move back here with me. I mean I did love her in a way, but everything about our relationship had become too comfortable and safe. I just couldn't do it anymore."

I nod my head trying to understand.

"I don't want to settle for comfortable. I want someone who takes my breath away whenever I see her, that when I kiss her it makes my toes curl," he says passionately before his blue eyes lock onto mine.

I am suddenly frozen to the spot as he continues to stare at me intently. Goosebumps appear on my arms. All I know is I don't want him to look away.

However he blinks and shakes his head as if to get rid of an unwanted thought.

"Maybe Delly has made me watch too many romantic comedies. I guess it rarely happens like that in real life," he sighs.

"I don't think it's wrong for wanting that. My parents loved each other in that way," I reply.

I realise how true this is. My dad used to always light up whenever Mom entered the room. It was the reason why Mom was such a mess after he died.

Peeta smiles gratefully.

"What about you? What's your big romantic fantasy?" he asks.

I turn away from him and lean my head back against the wall.

"It doesn't matter. Dating is off my agenda for the next 18 years," I state.

Peeta lets out a small laugh.

"Well one day it will be back on and you'll get a chance for your Prince Charming" he says before picking himself up off the ground and offering a hand to help me up.

"Come on let's go back outside. I think that's enough pity for one evening," he says.

I smile as he helps haul me up and follow him back outside.

I don't dare tell him what my real romantic fantasy is. I feel like I am not allowed to have it. Everyone around me tells I am stupid for wanting it. I keep it to myself in an attempt to keep away my disappointment of not getting it.

As we draw nearer the party we hear Mrs Mellark's loud voice above all the others.

"I've been telling him to fire that bit of Seam trash for weeks now. I mean how can you trust a girl like that?" she squawks.

Peeta stops abruptly at her words and I bump into his back as a result. We stand hidden from view by the door as we listen to exactly what Mrs Mellark has to say about me.

"You know what happened when Rooba hired a girl from the Seam? She cleaned them out after 3 weeks of working there. They are all the same from there. Desperate for cash so they can spend it on drink and drugs. I've told Peeta under no circumstances is she to be left alone on the shop floor," Mrs Mellark continues.

I feel rage build up inside me at her words. How dare she assume I would do that? I am only trying my hardest to provide for my daughter. I see Peeta clench his fist in anger as he listens.

"And you just know that little brat of hers is going to end up the same way. I've heard about her antics. Venia spotted her breaking into the drugs warehouse and getting high last summer. I bet she doesn't even know who the father of her own child is. Glimmer told me what a whore she is, seducing young Cato Evans when he had my darling daughter. Social services should really be involved. She's clearly unfit to be a mother."

I can feel the tears prickle at the corners of my eyes. I now know where Glimmer gets all he judgemental opinions from. I hate that Mrs Mellark has made me upset. She's not worth it. But it's true I was irresponsible and reckless before I had Sage. I'm trying so hard to not be like that now. I am trying to be a good mother to Sage. One that she deserves. Her words just confirm my worse fear; that I am not good enough to look after my own daughter.

She doesn't get to say any more because Peeta has stormed away from me to confront her.

"You have no right to say those things about Katniss Mom!" Peeta yells.

A small group of the party turn round to watch the confrontation. I just try and hide behind the door.

"It's bad enough from Glimmer but you are old enough to know better. Katniss is the hardest working employee I have at the bakeries. She is always on time and the customers love her. I would trust her with my life let alone the cash from the register. I don't know how you can berate her for trying her hardest to provide for her daughter. She loves Sage and she is doing an amazing job of raising her on her own. I am in no doubt that she is the best person to do so," Peeta defends me.

I can feel the tears again. I can't believe he has stuck up for me like that. At least I know there is one person who thinks I am doing a good job with Sage.

"Don't come round the bakery until you can apologise to Katniss," Peeta says with a firm voice I didn't know he possessed.

His mom just stares back at him, unforgiving, so Peeta turns on his heels, grabs my hand and pulls me away from the party.

"I'll take you home," he says quite softly for a man with so much anger in his eyes.

I can only nod my head hopelessly as I let him drag me to his car.

We drive in silence on the ride over. I want to thank him for sticking up for me and let him know that his support means a lot but the words stick in my throat. I feel like something has changed between us tonight but I'm not quite sure what it is.

Peeta pulls up outside my house and cuts the engine.

"I feel like I am constantly apologising for my family," he says turning to face me. "Mom was wrong to say those things about you. You have to know I don't believe anything she says. I don't think you would ever steal from us. And you are a great mom to Sage."

"I appreciate that," I reply giving him a small smile.

A silence falls in the car again and I look down at my hands trying to figure out how I will say goodbye.

"I'm glad you came tonight," Peeta says. I snap my head back up to look at him. "It was nice hanging out with you away from work. And I think you have charmed all my friends. I think they want to trade me in for you."

I look back down at my hands with a small smile before lifting my head back up to meet his gaze.

"I'm glad I came too," I reply simply.

Peeta gives me another smile and it seems like we stare at each other for an eternity before I flick my gaze to the house behind him and know I have to get back inside to my daughter.

"Thanks for the ride," I say as I step out the car.

"Anytime. Goodnight Katniss," Peeta replies.

I give him one last smile in thanks before turning and heading up the path to the house. Peeta waits in the car until I have reached my door and I turn round to wave at him. He smiles and returns my wave before starting the engine and driving off.

I let out a sigh as I watch him go before turning the key in the lock and stepping into the house. I hang my coat and bag up before making my way to my bedroom to check on Sage. I wearily push open the door where I am suddenly stopped by the sound of a man's voice.

"Hey Katniss," Thom says.

A/N: I know most people will not be thrilled with Thom coming back but I have brought him back for a reason. The consequences of his return will be dealt with next chapter. Have faith in the story.

Thanks again to everyone who continues to support the story.