Page 15 of Baby Love

“P!” The child jumps up and runs into P’Park’s arms. My heart turns over at the sight of the handsome man smiling and hugging the little girl.

“I brought a friend,” P’Park tells her, and when she turns around, I see she has a sweet, round face and dimples in her cheeks. She grins at me, revealing a missing front tooth. She’s adorable.

“Anya, this is P’Spin,” P’Park says.

“Sawasdee-kha,” Anya greets me, giving the wai and looking at me shyly.

“Sawasdee-khap.” I return the gesture.

P’Park introduces me to his neighbor, who is a warm, motherly type who looks to be in her sixties. After greeting her respectfully, I turn to Anya.

“Are you having a tea party?” I ask her.

“Yes!” Anya hops back onto the couch. “Would you like some?”

“I’d love some,” I say before P’Park can tell her no. “Is this tiger your friend?” I ask, pointing to one of the stuffed animals lined up on the couch as P’Park and Khun Anong begin talking and disappear into the kitchen.

“Yes, P’, this is Khun Tiger.”

“Sawasdee-kap, Khun Tiger,” I say, bowing over my hands before taking the plastic pink teacup from Anya. I pretend to take a sip and pull back. “Oh, it’s hot.”

Giggling, Anya says, “Try blowing on it, P’Spin.”

I blow into my cup before taking another fake sip. “Perfect. Thank you.”

P’Park walks back into the room, and Anya looks up at him.

“P’, do you want some tea? P’Spin has burned his mouth on it, so be careful.”

“Sorry, Nong Sau, I have to go out again for a while. I’ve brought you and Auntie some delicious pad Thai and chicken satay.”

Anya pouts. “Oh.”

“I’ll have a tea party with you at home, okay?” P’Park ruffles her dark hair. “But you have to have your homework finished.”

Anya’s lower lip pushes out, and she lifts her arms to her brother. “I don’t want you to go.”

Squatting in front of her, P’Park wraps his arms around the little girl and hugs her tightly, whispering something into her ear. Her face lights up and she releases him, nodding.

Outside, I ask, “How did you make Anya okay with you leaving her?”

“I told her we would watch her favorite cartoon in the morning. It’ll mean getting up earlier than I’d like to on the weekend, but it’s worth it not to have her crying after me.”

“She’s really cute,” I say, then add seriously, “And she makes delicious tea.”

P’Park shakes his head, a small smile curling his full lips. “Thanks for playing with her.”

“You don’t have to thank me. I loved playing with her. I used to play with my little sister all the time to keep her out of my father’s way. I would have played with Anya all evening if you wanted to stay.”

“Anya would love that, but Daeng and Aod will be waiting for us at the bar.”

“I think you’re wrong,” I tell him as we fasten our seat belts in the car.

“About what?” P’Park looks at me questioningly.

“You said that you’re all Anya has, but you’re wrong. She has Khun Anong, too. It’s obvious how fond they are of each other. And Khun Anong is fond of you, too. I can tell. She’s more than just a neighbor and babysitter. Am I right?”

P’Park is quiet for a moment before saying, “Yeah. You’re right. She’s been our neighbor for so long, and we’ve gotten close. I dated her granddaughter for a few months last year. When I broke things off, I felt a little weird around Khun Anong. But she never treated me any differently. She’s great.”

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