-Chapter X!-

After a couple of days, Katniss is at work when she received a text message from Peeta. Before they part ways, they exchanged numbers. From the moment she arrived at her apartment, their encounter keeps on replaying in her mind. It made her feel happy but restless at the same time. Her mind keeps battling of the thought that what she's feeling towards Peeta is a sign of betrayal to her deceased husband, on the other hand, her heart says otherwise. She spent the night trying to cope her mind and her emotions to be attune with each other.

Katniss is already at the middle of her shift when Peeta texted her:

Hi Katniss, I'm wondering if you're free this afternoon.

- Peeta

She spent the next 15 minutes looking at the message not sure if she should answer. She can't deny the excitement she's feeling because of the fact that she can see Peeta again.

"Anything interesting?"

Katniss look up and see Johanna peering at her from her own cubicle next to her. Johanna is looking at her intently, "You seem bothered and happy."

She sigh and put down her phone, "Just trying to figure out something."

"Figure out what?" Johanna is now on her cubicle sitting on her table.

Katniss knows now that she have no option but lay it out on Johanna. Her friend is very insistent and would annoy her to spill something if she have to. She lean back on her chair before turning to look at her friend, "Okay, I'll tell you something. But what I'll tell you is for your ears only. Got it? Gale can't know."

Johanna smirk at her, "Ooh… are you finally seeing someone again?"

Katniss gasp at Johanna, "Wha- No. I mean, I don't know. I haven't seen him again."

"So there is someone!" said Johanna with a huge on her face, "Spill."

Katniss inhaled deeply before telling her friend everything, "Remember when we ate together a couple of days ago? You know, when you met someone acquainted to me."

Johanna nod remembering the encounter, "The recipient of Cato's heart's father, sure. What about him?"

"Well, after we separate, I decided to visit Cato. And he's there."

Her friend leaned back and crossed her arms in front of her, "I didn't know you're in to old guys."

Katniss shake her head, "No! Not Mr. Mellark." She sigh, "The son."

"The son! Oh my God! Is he hot? He should be, considering his father still has it."

Katniss raise an eyebrow to her friend, "What is your problem?"

Johanna chuckled, "What? I'm just saying." She smirked and lean closely to Katniss, "Is he yummy?"

"Yummy?"

Johanna let out a small laugh, "You know, the expression you immediately have when you see someone so hot that you know that someone can easily get you off your sexual frustrations."

Katniss laughed, "Why are you so disgusting?"

"Hey! Don't judge me there's a reason why Gale is so into me." Johanna said, her voice haughty.

Katniss rolled her eyes Johanna, "The reason being?"

"I can be dirty and fun! You know, Gale is not decent as you think he is."

"Oh my God! I don't want to know about you and Gale. Can we please go back to me?"

Johanna laughed, "I'm sorry, you know how I am." She leaned back and again crossed her arms in front of her, "Okay, serious. This bothers you why?"

Katniss exhaled harshly, "He kind of have this effect on me."

"What effect?"

"Well," she starts, "When I saw him, I instantly felt something. Like I'm being breathless. My heart starts to beat fast. I'm just in pure awe."

"Whoa! He's that hot?"

"I guess so. And I don't normally feel that. The last time I felt amazed at someone is with Cato. And not just that, when I tried to shake his hand I felt a spark."

Johanna looked at her questioningly, "Spark?"

"Yes. And he just brushed my hand with a finger. A finger Jo!"

Katniss stopped when she saw Johanna staring at her intently, "I don't know what to think right now. I mean, I want to see him. But I know I can't. What do you think I should do?"

Katniss knows that Johanna is outgoing but when it comes to this situation, nobody can understand her best but Johanna.

Johanna who seems to be in deep thought just continued to stare at Katniss.

"So?" Katniss asked.

"I think you're thinking too much babe. It's been two years since Cato died. If you want to see this guy, then go."

"I can't."

"Okay, why not? And if you're going to answer me that it would feel like betraying Cato, you're wrong."

"Is it not?"

Johanna sigh, "No. Look, even I know Cato would not want you to contain yourself."

"I don't."

"You do. Just by asking me what you should do proves it." Johanna reached to touch Katniss by her shoulder, "Listen Kat, Cato's whole life has been dedicated to make you happy. And as far as I believe, it doesn't stop at his death. If seeing this man would make you happy, then see him."

Katniss looked at Johanna with wonder, "Damn! When did you get so wise?"

Johanna removed her and stood up, "I'm always wise. That's why I'm your friend. Anyway, I'll go deliver something. Let me know how it'd go."

As soon as her friend left, Katniss took her phone to reply at Peeta:

Yes.

It didn't take a minute when Peeta replied:

Great! I'll see you at 4. I know a great coffee shop just downtown. See you!

Katniss is now on her way to the coffee shop Peeta directed her. She parked in front of the shop, she can already see Peeta inside. Peeta's face is exactly the same as she remembers it. She can't really deny that he is stunningly handsome. And she tries her best to avoid comparing Peeta and Cato, they are two of the most beautiful person she had encountered in her whole life.

Before stepping out of her car, she glance at the rearview mirror to check on her face. As soon as she felt satisfied with her look, she grabbed her bag and get out of her car.

When Peeta immediately saw Katniss coming in, he stood up at his seat and waited to open the seat opposite to him for her. He can't help but feel overwhelmed with the happiness he's feeling by seeing Katniss, "You look great."

Katniss smiled at him as he assist her to seat, "You look nice too."

Peeta return to his seat, "It's really good to see you again."

Katniss who's surveying the menu, glanced at him with a smile on her face and nod.

Peeta can't understand what he's feeling right now, he can feel his cheeks slowly getting flushed. He's been out on a date with women before, but this is the first time he felt shy and nervous in front of one. Katniss is different that most of his dates. Her presence makes him happy and restless at the same time. He can't help but feel conscious about how he look and smell.

"Are you okay? You look uncomfortable." Katniss asked him, staring at his eyes directly.

"I'm just hot." Peeta blurted out.

Katniss chuckled, "What?"

Peeta curse under his breath, "I mean- damn, - I mean, it feels hot."

Katniss bit her lip to contain her laughter but a wide small still plastered at her face, "It is isn't it?" she then move to remove her blazer, "Should we order? I'm starving."

They spent the next hour enjoying their meal and making small talk. Katniss stars to feel comfortable as the time pass by. Peeta also started to let loose and be natural with Katniss. He decided to shift their conversation, "So, um- if you don't mind me asking, how did your husband died?"

Peeta immediately felt stupid for asking the question when he saw Katniss' expression. Her smile slowly fell and she lowered her head, shifting her focus on her drink.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to- Shit!" Peeta said under his breath. He started to panic as Katniss continues to ignore him. He tried to reach for Katniss' hand when she speak.

"It's a car accident."

Peeta slowly take his hand back as Katniss raise his head to look at him. Her expression is gentle, "We were on our way home from a friend's show. When we were halfway out the driveway when I saw a car approaching. He, uh – he unbuckled me then push me out. It all happened too fast. Then I just woke up in a hospital bed a week later."

Peeta continues to watch Katniss as she turn to look down at her hands, "I'm sorry he didn't make it."

"He did. Only it's not different from being dead." She turn to look at Peeta who's looking at her questioningly, "He's brain dead. The only way to let him continue breathing is by machines, he doesn't have that much of a chance to survive without it. I, uh, - I decided to let him go."

Peeta is speechless. He tries to find the right words to console Katniss but none came to mind. He just stare at Katniss who's face remain calm and gentle, "Anyway. That's where you came in. Dr. Plutarch said that he has a patient who's in deep need of a heart transplant."

Peeta lean back at his seat and sigh, "Yeah. I was actually hopeless at that time."

Katniss stayed silent waiting for Peeta to continue, "Before that, I've been in that hospital room for almost two months waiting for a heart donor."

"That long?"

"Before that, I've been experiencing frequent heart failure." He stopped to look at Katniss who remained focus on him, "Then one day when I was going to work, I just felt my chest tightened and the next thing I know I'm at a hospital."

Katniss continued to stare at Peeta who's staring back at her. Before she realize it, she reached and hold his hand, while they continue to lock eyes with each other. Peeta gently tightened his grip at Katniss' hand.

"Thank you." He said.

"What for?"

"For giving me a second chance to live my life."

Katniss turn to look at their hands, just by feeling Peeta's hand holding hers gives her a feeling of security. She look up to see Peeta smiling at her.

And at that moment, she knew, she wants Peeta in her life.