Page 10 of Baby Love

“Now, that’s chemistry,” Khun Aat says at the end of the seventh reading. “Let’s break for lunch.”

Ten minutes later, P’Park and I walk down the street on our way to a nearby restaurant, our arms brushing with every step, the warmth radiating off him seeping into me. “You fell into your role quickly,” I say.

“So did you.”

“So far, it’s easy because I’m a lot like Boom. I hope I can do a good job with this role.”

“You can. I believe in you.”

When we reach the small restaurant, P’Park opens the door for me.

He chooses a table near the back where the hot sun isn’t shining through the windows, and we order stir-fried vegetables and soup. The bell over the door rings, and I look up to see Cream, P’Daeng, Aod, and P’Pear walking in. I wave them over to sit with us.

“Have they been working you hard this morning?” I ask them after they give the wait staff their orders.

“I haven’t had to do a thing yet,” Cream says. “I’ve been alternating between studying my lines and watching P’Daeng and Aod run through a scene. Aod’s character, Bear, is so funny. You play him so well, Aod. You have great comedic timing.”

“Yeah, I was shocked at how funny he is,” P’Daeng agrees.

“Thanks.” Aod smiles.

“From what I’ve seen this morning, I think the Champ/Bear storyline is going to be a hit,” Cream says. “How did you two do?” She looks at me and P’Park.

“We’re working on a difficult scene that we’re going to have to begin filming next week,” P’Park says. “I think we made a lot of headway today, though. What do you think, Nong?” He turns to me, and a rush of adrenaline hits me at having his attention focused on me again, as well as at the familiar form of address to someone younger. I realize I’m unintentionally leaning closer to him and pull back.

“I agree. Khun Aat is awesome.”

“Has Khun Lee been hounding you about your ship?” Aod asks us. “She blasted me and P’Daeng about getting closer.”

“I think she just really wants us to succeed,” I say, not wanting to cast Khun Lee in a bad light.

“I’m sure she does,” P’Daeng says. “But does she do it for us or for herself?”

“Can’t it be for both?” I ask.

P’Daeng shakes his head. “In this industry, it usually isn’t. Agents can be brutally tough on actors. Watch your back with her.”

“It’s got to be worse for you guys,” Aod says. “I heard her talking, and she’s determined that you two are going to outshine Tar and Payu’s ship.” He chuckles. “Good luck with that, by the way. Those two have fanservice down to a fine art. People think they’re secretly living together and hiding it because of Payu’s homophobic grandmother.”

“Good thing for us, I love a challenge,” I say, smiling. Then, realizing that might sound like I’m saying P’Park will be a challenge to act attracted to, I add, “I’m sure P’Park and I can beat them.”

I notice P’Pear’s been staring at P’Park. Like, a lot. She’s barely taken her eyes off him since she sat down. I can’t blame her if she is attracted to him, of course. He’s a very goodlooking guy. But the feeling I get when she does it reminds me I can’t allow myself to get any weird, possessive feelings for P’Park just because we’re a shipped couple.

“Are you enjoying your job, P’Pear?” I ask to include her in the conversation.

Blinking a couple times as though she’s pulling herself out of her thoughts, she says, “My job? Yes. It’s a lot of fun so far. I love working with makeup, but I hear we’re going to have some really early mornings and late nights that will be challenging.”

“Definitely,” P’Park says. “It can get brutal. You’ll have to cover up the bags under our eyes every morning.”

She laughs. “But who is going to cover up the bags under mine?”

I suddenly get the feeling that they know each other well, but didn’t P’Pear just start working at SPPT recently?

Aod starts talking about makeup, and soon lunch is over and it’s time to return to the studio. I nearly trip on the sidewalk when P’Park takes my hand.

“Is this okay?” he asks me. “I thought more skinship will help us with our scenes.”

“Sure,” I say, hoping he can’t feel me trembling. It feels so nice to be holding his hand out in public. Bang often put his arm around me when we were in front of fans, but he never held my hand like this—so casually, as though we should always be doing it.