The dimple in his left cheek appears, and I quickly turn my eyes back to the road. Two weeks of promotional events and photo shoots and our time together will be over. I dread it.
When we reach the club, an attendant parks my car while Rama and I walk into the building. The party is in full swing. I notice at the other end of the club a giant screen has been set up to view episode one when it airs.
Several scantily dressed women gather near the bar, and at their looks of open interest, I possessively wrap my arm around Rama’s waist, belatedly remembering this isn’t a fan meeting and Rama might not welcome my getting between him and a possible hookup. Loosening my hold, I start to draw away, but Rama turns away from the girls and leans closer to me.
“There’s P’Tida,” he says into my ear, his warm breath raising the fine hairson my neck.
Following the direction he’s looking, I spot Tida dressed in a purple pantsuit with a drink in her hand, talking to a foreigner.
“Who’s the farang?” Rama asks, and I shrug just as Tida notices us and waves us over.
“Here are my pretty boys,” she says loudly over the thumping bass. “Pravat Benjawan, Rama Sathianthai, this is Sidney Franklin, a movie producer from the United States. He’s here in Bangkok visiting a friend who brought him along to our celebration.”
“Very nice to meet you,” the man says after Rama and I greet him. “Ms. Li has been singing your praises. I’ve heard all about your fabulous chemistry. I must say, I’m intrigued by the boys’ love concept. We don’t really have that in America, although LGBTQ-centered pieces are becoming more and more popular in the entertainment industry.”
“Rama has recently been to the U.S. where he acted in theater,” Tida tells him.
I don’t like the interest that sparks in the man’s eyes or the way they make a quick but thorough trail over Rama’s body before landing on his face again.
“Maybe we can find some time to talk before the evening’s over,” Franklin says, and Rama politely gives him a wai.
Smiling, Tida tells us, “It’s an open bar. Get whatever you want.”
I look to Rama.
“A beer,” he says, and I hail the bartender, glad when Rama takes a step away from the American producer.
“Rama! Pravat!” Udom, who played Aran’s character’s sister in the series, joins us. By the glassy look of her eyes, she’s already had a few drinks. “Where have you been?”
“I made us late. I couldn’t decide what to wear,” Rama tells her.
Laughing, Udom teases, “You’re worse than me when it comes to getting ready to go out.”
The bartender brings the beers, and I pass a bottle to Rama before taking a swig from mine. Spotting Aran, Tait, and a few others drinking and chatting at a table, we head over there.
“It’s about time,” Aran complains when he sees us. “Let me guess—Pravat had to put the finishing touches on a painting.”
“Wrong,” I say, taking the seat next to him. “It was Rama’s fault this time.”
A young woman I’ve never seen before leans across Udom to speak to Rama.
“I’m Ying. I’ve seen your pictures plastered all over social media, but, thankfully, your bio says you’re straight.”
Rama smiles politely, turning slightly toward her in his chair while at the same time edging closer to me. “Saswadee-kraap.” The reserve is clear in his voice when he greets her, and I think if it were me, I would take the hint, but this girl is determined.
“It must be difficult for a straight man to play in a boys’ love story. You must be quite the actor,” she says, resting her hand on Rama’s arm. I’m suddenly very focused on her slim, feminine fingers resting on his sleeve. She glances at me. “Although your co-star is quite easy on the eyes. Gay, not bi, correct?” she asks me.
“Very gay,” I say, a little less friendly than I normally would speak to someone.
“I’ve found that a beautiful person is just that—a beautiful person, no matter the gender,” Rama says before turning his back on her and lifting his glass to me. I’m stunned speechless for a moment. Thankfully, Van, who played a small role in the series but entertained us daily with his mischievous humor, arrives at the table.
“I just danced with a woman who thought I was Jungkook,” he says with a grin. When everyone erupts in laughter, Van makes a face. “What? I look a little like him.”
“Maybe in a very dark room to a very drunk person,” Tait says as Naa’dir returns from the bar with more drinks. Soon we’re telling stories about funny things that happened during filming, and I notice the girl who hit on Rama left the table and is sitting on the lap of some big guy at the bar.
“He never stops kissing when Maha callscut,” Tait says, patting Aran on the shoulder.
Aran flushes pink. “Yes, I do, you asshole.”