Any remaining amusement fled my system. “What are you doing?”
Grae didn’t bother looking up, just kept at what she was doing. “I’m covering for what I’m about to eat so my blood sugar doesn’t spike.”
“But this is okay, right? You don’t need something else?” Panic edged my voice.
“I can eat whatever I want. I just have to plan accordingly.”
A little of the tension in my chest eased.
Grae lifted her gaze to me. “I’m not going to combust. I’ve been living with this for a long time. I know how to deal.”
But I knew better than anyone that things could go sideways when we least expected it and send our worlds spiraling. And Grae was at higher risk for that than most.
The reminder of that fact had my appetite vanishing, but I forced myself to choke down the burger and fries. To answer Grae’s questions and ask some in return. But I was somewhere else. Not truly here with her.
Grae stood as I signed the check. “I need to run back to my house to get my swim stuff.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“You don’t have to.”
I shoved out of the booth. “It would look weird if I didn’t,” I said quietly.
Her nose scrunched. “Fine.” But she was already heading out of the restaurant.
“Hey.” I hurried to catch up with her as she stepped out into the sunshine. “Why are you leaving me in the dust?”
“You always get weird with my diabetes. Like what I have to do is gross or something.”
I jerked upright. “I don’t think it’s gross.”
Her hands went to her hips. “Then what?”
My heart pounded against my ribs, and my palms dampened. “It reminds me of that day, okay?”
Grae stilled. “When I got sick?”
I nodded. “It’s not one I like reliving. Sorry if that means I go weird on you.”
Empathy filled her face. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
She let out a breath. “But if we’re going to do this, you’re going to have to get used to Isla and Dex.”
My brow furrowed. “Isla and Dex?”
Grae grinned and patted her insulin pump. “Isla.” Then she lifted her shirt sleeve to show a small device the size of a Bluetooth earpiece taped to her arm. “Dex.”
“What’s the second one?”
Her finger ran over the tape surrounding it. “It’s a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor. It checks my levels and sends alerts through my phone.”
I frowned at the device. “So, there’s a needle in there?”
Grae nodded. “It sends continuous readings to the app. I’ll share the info with my mom if I’m going on a long hike or something. Just in case.”
My mouth went dry. “Does it hurt?”
