December 17th
Jo came by the bakery the next morning to grab a few more cheese buns before work again. Katniss wasn't with her this time, as her shift was at noon, but Jo didn't shy away from letting Peeta know that Katniss had eagerly enjoyed his "buns", as she referred to them, and even mimicked the way Katniss had "oohed" and "aahed" over each bite. Peeta had to admit he would have liked to see the real thing.
Jo had suggested they trade numbers so she could "help" Peeta's budding relationship with Katniss. Peeta thought it may be more for harassment than helpfulness, but he gave Jo his number anyway, conceding to himself that she was growing on him.
After he left work, Peeta walked in the direction of the department store where the girls worked, carrying a bag of the cheese buns he'd heard Katniss liked so much. He brought extra since he figured Jo would probably snag a few, or quite possibly all of them.
Peeta rounded the corner of the shopping center where the store was located, but stopped short of crossing the street to enter the establishment when he saw Katniss seated on a bench in front of the massive glass doors. She wasn't alone. Peeta's mind raced as he sized up the apparently tall, dark and handsome man. He seemed to favor Katniss in looks, so he could be her brother, Peeta thought hopefully.
That thought was flushed down the toilet when the man leaned in to whisper in Katniss' ear and wrapped her braid around his finger. Peeta's heart sank when Katniss let out an immensely cheerful laugh. He noted the way her companion grinned and took her in with his eyes. He was familiar with that look. He felt the same awe and wonder when he looked at Katniss that he had seen in her stranger's close examination. It was too close of an examination for Peeta.
Yep. Definitely not a brother. Peeta sighed and his shoulders slumped as he turned around to walk back to his car he left parked at the bakery. He didn't want to view anymore of this scene.
Peeta reached his apartment after an hour long drive around town to clear his dreary thoughts. He was sure that Jo had told him Katniss wasn't seeing anyone. Surely she would know? But then he did remember Jo telling him that Katniss wasn't always open and she had to pry information out of her. Maybe this is something she's keeping from Jo, Peeta thought as he reflected on the last 4 day's events.
Whatever the reason, whatever the story, Peeta had felt that what he witnessed today was the lid being closed on the coffin of any relationship with the girl of his dreams.
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I messed up! I totally skipped yesterday….arggghh! Sorry about that… didn't get home til late and just couldn't keep my eyes open. I'm going to try to catch up and get ahead, though, so hopefully no more misses. I know this is a short one, (they're all supposed to be) but I really wanted to update since I hate to be a liar!
That darn Gale always messes up everything...