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Jason retrieves the juice box and stabs the straw into the opening before handing it to me.
I suck down half the juice in one gulp and then lean back in my chair to catch my breath. “Thanks.”
He crouches down beside me and pulls out his phone. “I’ll text your brother and your mom to let them know you’re okay.”
As soon as he says that, both our phones start buzzing with incoming messages. “It’s Mom and Ian.” I text them both back, telling them I’m okay.
Jason checks his watch and then lays his hand on my knee. “Dinner is in twenty minutes. Perfect timing because you need to eat. Let’s go.”
“Just one second. Let me check my e-mail.” I get on my laptop to see if my professors have replied. “Yes! They’ve all agreed to let me work from home another week.”Thank goodness.“I just need to hear from two more, and then I’m going to be all right.”
* * *
Later that evening, after dinner, I talk Jason into watching one of my favorite film versions ofJane Eyre—the one with Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson.
Before we start the movie, we run down to the kitchen to grab some snacks. My blood sugar level is correct now, and Jason’s been watching it like a hawk all evening.
“So, what do we want?” Jason asks as we walk into the pantry lined with shelves. “How about protein? I think you’ve had enough carbs today.”
“Okay, fine.” So we put together a platter of cheese and mixed nuts. “How about a little bit of popcorn?” I ask, grabbing a bag of pre-popped white cheddar popcorn off the shelf.
“Just a little bit,” he says as he grabs two bottles of sugar-free lemonade out of the fridge.
As we head for the door, my dad enters the kitchen. “Hey, guys,” he says as he eyes our loot. “What are you up to?”
“We’re getting some snacks,” Jason says.
Dad frowns. “Her glucose alarm went off earlier.”
“It’s under control,” Jason says. “She’s fine now. We’re watching it closely.”
“We’re going to watch a movie, Dad,” I say. “Snacks are a necessity.”
My dad doesn’t seem to agree. “Well, be careful with what you eat.”
We carry our haul back up to my room. Jason sits beside me on the sofa, and we both kick off our shoes and prop our feet on the coffee table.
I hold the platter of snacks on my lap. Jason opens the bottles of lemonade and sets them on coasters on the coffee table. Then he opens the small bag of popcorn.
“All right,” he says, grabbing the remote. “Let’s see this Mr. Rochester in action. I want to know what all the hype is about.”
By the time the movie comes to an end, the popcorn is gone, and our lemonade bottles are empty. Most of the cheese and nuts are gone, too. Jason picks up his phone and checks my glucose level for the third time since the movie started. I’ve already programmed the carb amount into my device.
“Good movie,” Jason says as the credits roll.
“Toby Stephens makes a great Mr. Rochester, don’t you think? And I love the actress who played Jane. She’s got this otherworldly vibe, like Liv Tyler inLord of the Rings.”
Jason rises to his feet and stretches his arms and shoulders, groaning at the effort. I find myself staring at his body as he flexes his muscles.
He checks his watch. “Wow, it’s late. I should let you get some sleep.”
“Thanks for watching the movie with me.”
“Anytime. Let’s do it again soon.”
“You can pick the movie next time.”
He smiles. “It’s a deal.” He reaches down and brushes my cheek with his knuckle. “G’night, Layla.”
