Page 23 of Baby Love

I meet Kiet’s eyes, and he raises his eyebrows at me. The possibility that one of my best friends might be getting close to my little sister is unexpected. I don’t know how to feel about it. The waiter returns with our food, so I move to sit in the empty seat next to P’Park.

“How are rehearsals?” Cushion asks, turning away from Daw, who she’s been bickering with back and forth.

“I think they’re going well,” I say.

“And you two actually kiss in these things?“ Daw asks, making a face. “Two guys?”

“Yeah. With tongue,” I say.

“We have a photo shoot Thursday,” P’Park says, trying to cover his amusement.

Cushion smiles. “That’ll go great. Baby’s so photogenic.”

“You’re just being nice,” I say, blushing.

“No I’m not. All my pictures of you are great.” She takes out her phone and starts scrolling. “Look. This is when we took that trip to Phuket.” She tilts her phone so Park and I can see. “You look like a freaking model. I just look constipated.”

I shake my head. “You do not. You look beautiful.”

“I don’t know, Spin, she does look a little constipated in that picture,” Kiet says, leaning over to look. “Ouch! Hey, you kicked me!”

“Oh, did I?” Cushion asks innocently. “Sorry about that.”

Daw takes Cushion’s phone and flicks through the pictures, frowning.

“That’s the trip you couldn’t go on because you were visiting your aunt,” Kiet tells her.

“What are you carrying Spin around on your back for?” she asks him, pausing on a picture. “Did he sprain his ankle or something?”

“No, it was just for fun. I like to carry him—he’s small,” Kiet says with a shrug.

Daw gives him a disapproving look, but her voice is soft as she says, “You shouldn’t do that. People will think the wrong thing about your relationship.”

“We didn’t know anyone there,” Kiet says.

“You never know who you’ll run into, but that isn’t the point. The point is that the way you two behave is…well, abnormal.”

The anger I’ve been trying to keep tamped down surges. I’m so sick of her bullshit. I barely see Kiet anymore because of her. “Says who?”

“Says everyone! I’ve never met boys who act like you two do,” Daw says. I can tell she’s carefully keeping the venom out of her voice for Kiet’s benefit, but her eyes, which are pinned on me, clearly show her disgust.

“You’re certifiable,” I tell her.

She leans toward me and whispers so that only I can hear, “I know you want him. It’s so obvious.”

Pressing my lips together so I don’t say something that I’ll regret later, I give her the dirtiest look I can. She leans back in her chair, and Kiet sees my face and frowns.

She turns toward him, pouting like I hurt her feelings. As if. That woman has no feelings to hurt. She puts on this act for Kiet, and he believes her.

“Kiet, all I’m saying is that if you’re going to be working at my father’s firm, you have a duty to protect your reputation.”

Clearing her throat, Cushion pushes back from the table. “I have to use the ladies room. Why don’t you come with me, Daw? Your makeup’s looking a little messy.”

I can tell Daw doesn’t want to leave Kiet, but the fear that her face isn’t perfect eventually wins out and she stands, giving Kiet’s shoulder a lingering caress before walking away with Cushion.

“Kiet, what the hell? You’re really going to work for Daw’s father?” I say as soon as she’s gone.

“He offered me a position.”

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