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“Apparently, everybody heard.”

“How is it up there, though? That place is legendary.”

“It’s nice,” I answered with a small smile. “We’re settling in and getting comfortable. Can’t complain.”

And that was about as much information as I planned on giving her.

Tynessa had always been cool with me when we worked together, and I had no reason to think anything bad about her now, but six years was a long damn time. People changed. Friendships changed. Hell, sometimes people you used to be close to became complete strangers without either of you doing anything wrong. She could’ve still been the same sweet, funny woman I remembered, or she could’ve gotten messy over the years and been ready to carry every word I said straight into somebody else’s conversation.

I wasn’t saying that was what she was doing. She could’ve genuinely been happy to see me and curious about how I was doing. But I had learned a long time ago that everybody asking questions wasn’t asking because they cared about the answers… some people wanted information.

People would reconnect with you just long enough to find out who you were dating, where you were living, how much money you had, whether your relationship was good, whether you were struggling, and whatever else they could carry back to the group chat. They would hug you, tell you how good you looked, swear y’all needed to get together soon, then have your whole damn life on somebody else’s phone before you made it to your car.

And in a town like Hallowridge, where apparently I couldn’t sneeze without somebody finding out what brand of tissue I used, I wasn’t giving anybody more material than necessary. So I kept my response respectful, light, and friendly.

Tynessa nodded. “That’s good, Lakelyn. Really.” Then her entire face lit up with pure excitement. “Well, I cannot wait for the party!”

I frowned, freezing in place. “What party?”

Her bright smile stayed locked in place for a confused second. “The Halloween party.”

“What Halloween party?”

Now her expression started shifting from excitement to utter dread. “Oh, shit.”

“What is it?”

Tynessa slowly reached into her scrub pocket for her phone, her eyes darting around.

“I take it you didn’t know about this.”

She unlocked her phone, tapped a few times, then turned the screen toward me. “Your sister sent this to me last night.”

I leaned in, and there it was in full-color, high-definition glory.

A whole mothafuckin’ VIP invitation.

I snatched the phone from her hand, my eyes scanning the bold, shimmering fonts.

“‘You are cordially invited to A Night to Die For. Willow’s Halloween Mansion Bash.’”

I stopped reading, my jaw dropping. “Willow’s?”

Tynessa pressed her lips tightly together, trying not to laugh.

I kept reading aloud, my blood pressure spiking with every single word. “‘October thirty-first. Eight p.m. until the ghosts kick us out.’” My eyes narrowed dangerously. “‘Location: Caspian Black’s Mansion.’”

Oh, this girl has lost her entire fucking mind.

“‘Dress code: Costumes required. Come sexy, scary, or expensive. Do not come looking like you just got off work.’”

Tynessa started snickering behind her hand. I didn’t find a single damn thing funny.

“‘Invitation only. Adults only. RSVP required. No extra guests. No drama unless it’s entertaining.’” I closed my eyes briefly, rubbing the bridge of my nose, then reopened them because surely my eyes were failing me.

“‘If you see a ghost, mind your business. If he’s fine, send him my way.’”

I slowly lowered the phone.