Page 1 of Bite of Midnight
Chapter 1
CALLA JAMES
I’m standing at the nurses station putting in some notes on my last patient when Maya, one of my best friends walks up. She leans against the counter with a grin that means trouble. “So, what time should I pick you up?”
I blink. “For what?”
She sighs like I’ve personally offended her. “For the Halloween party. Don’t act brand new.”
Tina spins her chair toward us, shoving a handful of trail mix into her mouth. “She’s not coming. She says no every year.”
“That’s because I don’tlikeHalloween,” I say, typing in vitals. “It’s messy, loud, and smells like regret.”
Maya gasps. “I can’t believe you’re talking about my favorite holiday like that? I’m hurt.”
“Don’t be. You’ll get over it when you’re too hungover to care.”
Tina grins. “So… the usual?”
I laugh, and before I can answer, my phone buzzes against the counter. It’s our group chat.
Brooke: Tell me she’s coming.
Maya: She’s resisting again.
Tina: I’m bringing tequila to bribe her.
Brooke: I’m off tonight and picking her up. 8:30. No excuses this time.
Me: I have so many excuses.
Brooke: You’re twenty-seven and too hot to rot alone in scrubs.
I groan and drop my forehead into my hands. “I hate all of you.”
“You love us,” Maya singsongs. “Come on, Cal. You’ve been working nonstop. You need one night where you aren’t patching people up.”
“Yeah,” Tina adds, “and maybe you’ll meet someone who isn’t bleeding or crying.”
“Hard pass.”
Maya rolls her eyes. “We’re going to Halewood Mansion. It’s supposed to be haunted.”
I look up sharply. “You mean the cursed murder mansion?”
“Cursedadjacent,” Tina says. “Anyway, it’s been renovated. Big party, DJ, open bar. Think ‘spooky Pinterest.’”
“I’d rather stay home and bleach my bathtub.”
Brooke’s next message pings in the chat.
Brooke: Don’t make me come up there in costume.
Maya leans over my shoulder, peeking at my phone. “Oh, she’s serious. She’s probably already curling her hair.”
I sigh. “Fine. I’ll go. Happy now?”
Maya gasps dramatically. “Did everyone hear that? The Grinch of Halloween has agreed to socialize!”
