Page 33 of Baby Love

I’m not going to argue. I can keep a better eye on him if I’m sleeping beside him.

Handing him his cell phone, I say, “Is Anya at Khun Anong’s? Do you need to tell her you’re sick? I can go over there and get Anya.”

P’Park sluggishly dials the number, and I listen to him talk to Khun Anong while I fold his clothes.

“She’s going to stay there tonight,” P’Park says, dropping the phone onto the bed beside him.

“Okay.” I plug it in to charge, then strip down to my T-shirt and underwear and climb in on the other side. P’Park doesn’t appear to have a cough or any symptoms other than a fever and exhaustion. Lifting the sheet and using the flashlight on my phone, I peer under the covers at his lower torso but don’t see a rash. So, he probably doesn’t have dengue fever. I listen to him breathing—his lungs sound clear. With a sigh, I lie on my back and try to sleep, but I’m worried. Finally, I get up, wet a washcloth with cool water in the bathroom sink, and bathe P’Park’s arms and legs, chest and stomach, doing my best not to ogle his fine physique. He doesn’t even stir.

Remembering what P’Big said about posting more pictures, I unlock my phone and choose a couple more from the photo shoot in the park and post them on Instagram. I notice a lot of people are commenting on how they can’t wait for the trailer for Heartbeat, and it fills me with both excitement and trepidation. I don’t want to let down the fans.

Eyes heavy, I put my phone onto the nightstand and close my eyes. The photo shoot today went well but took a lot out of me. I sleep lightly, though, waking frequently and checking on P’Park. Sometime after midnight, his fever breaks and he begins to sweat. After wiping him down again, I fall asleep with my nose against his arm.

Chapter Fourteen: Park

Iwake up feeling a little achy but much better than I did the day before. I remember Spin bringing me home but not him putting me to bed. Realizing I have a cooling patch on my forehead, I peel it off and slowly sit up. That’s when I notice I’m not alone.

Spin lies asleep on his side facing me, looking adorable with his hands curled underneath his ear and his dark hair falling over his forehead. Rather than wake him by moving, I reach for my phone, which Spin has thoughtfully left charging on the table on my side of the bed, and scroll through social media. He’s tagged me in a post from last night of more of the photos taken in the park on Thursday, and there are over a thousand comments.

Spin’s cell phone rings, and I reach over him to grab it before it wakes him up. Seeing P’Big’s name on the screen, I answer.

“Nong Park? I guess this means you’re feeling better. So, you and Spin will be at the mall at one?”

“Yes, we’ll be there,” I say. I thank him and we disconnect. Beside me, Spin stirs.

“P’Big?” Spin asks, voice hoarse from sleep. It’s sexy.

“Yeah. I told him we’ll be there.”

“Are you sure you feel up to it?”

“Yeah. Thanks for taking care of me.” Flipping back the covers, I climb out of bed, hesitating when I realize I’m only wearing my underwear. When I look at Spin, he blushes and looks away.

“I, uh, helped you get comfortable last night.”

I nod, trying not to imagine him undressing me. Clearing my throat, I say, “I’m going to take a quick shower and then go get Anya so she can come home for a while before we have to leave. What, exactly, is this event we’re going to?”

“It’s at Siam Paragon and mostly for Prince and Gift’s promotion of beauty products. Daeng and Aod will be there with us to greet the crowd and promote our ship. By the way, how exactly do we do that?”

“Promote our ship? We just stay together and act like a couple.”

“Oh, okay,” Spin says, looking unsure.

“Just follow my lead,” I tell him and head for the bathroom.

After a quick shower, I walk next door to get Anya, who Auntie has dressed for school. When we get back, I’m surprised to see that Spin has made congee for all of us. We sit down to eat, with Anya insisting on sitting on my lap.

“Why did you leave me at Auntie’s?” she asks with a pout.

“Because of work. You know that, Nong. Sometimes I get back so late, you’re already asleep.”

“But you could still carry me home.”

“P’ wasn’t feeling well last night,” Spin tells her. “I brought him home and gave him some medicine, and he’s better now.” He looks at me. “I’m going to have to change clothes before the event. We’ll have to leave early, unless you want to drop me at the nearest Skytrain terminal and meet me at the mall.”

I notice Anya has barely eaten. “Something wrong, Anya?”

“Are you really okay now, P?” She looks worried.

---