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blend of yellow and mauve.
    In spite of Tonya’s lack of physical appeal, she was popular with the male species and had bedded at least half of the men who worked at the hospital. She’d been gunning for Jaxon hard, not knowing she waged a fruitless battle. He followed the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy. He thought his reputation and trust might be compromised if people knew he was gay, so he kept it on the down low.
    Audra could have saved Tonya some time and trouble, and saved Jaxon some stress and frustration, but she’d made a promise to Jaxon years ago that she wouldn’t reveal his secret. Besides, it was a lot more fun to watch him squirm.
    “So, Doctor Maroney,” Tonya said, her voice lilting hopefully. “Are you going to the hospital Halloween party with anyone?”
    The party was a few days before Halloween. There was no way they could have it on the actual night. Nearly everyone on staff would be working. Halloween was one of the busiest nights of the year.
    Jaxon turned his petrified gaze to Audra. “Well, I…actually…”
    Smiling mischievously, Audra said, “I need to go check on Ms. Chapman. I’ll leave you two alone to chat.”
    Ignoring the pleading in Jaxon’s expression, she gave a little wave and headed around the desk. She didn’t feel the least bit guilty. Served him right for being so smug about the huge lead he had on her in the movie quote game.
    Which reminded her...
    She paused and glanced over her shoulder to see Tonya was now the one leaning on the desk, and Jaxon was bent almost backward in an effort to distance himself from her.
    “Hey, Doctor Maroney,” Audra called.
    “Yeah?” he asked, his voice sounding almost as hopeful as Tonya’s had.
    Audra shoved her hands in the pockets of her cranberry-colored scrubs and gave him a smile. “ The Breakfast Club .”
    His face fell, and she chortled, heading down the hall to Ms. Chapman’s room.
    Although morning, the sun had yet to rise. The room was coated in darkness, save for the lights from the machines pumping next to the bed, aiding the frail woman who clung to life.
    Ms. Chapman lay still, eyes closed, chest rising and falling almost imperceptibly. Audra checked the readings on the monitor, then turned back to the woman.
    “How you doing, sweetie? You about ready to get out of here?” She smoothed a wisp of gray hair off the elderly woman’s forehead. “I bet those men down at Sunnyview are lonely without their best gal.”
    Audra let out a sigh. It was unlikely Ms. Chapman would be going back to Sunnyview Retirement Center. Poor thing. Her heart was weak. She’d had a triple bypass a few days ago and was here for post op care. Her condition was worsening. At her age, it was difficult to recover from major surgery.
    Sensing movement behind her, Audra whirled. In the shadowed corner of the room, she could make out the figure of a man, although she couldn’t distinguish his features.
    Visiting hours weren’t until ten a.m. And even then, only family members were allowed in this wing of the ICU. Audra had met each of Ms. Chapman’s relatives, and this man wasn’t one of them. She could tell by his body type and height. The only male in Ms. Chapman’s immediate family was her son, and he was short and stocky.
    “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice hushed. “You can’t be in here.”
    He looked behind him, then back at her. “You can see me?”
    She frowned in puzzlement. “Of course.”
    “You saw me that night. Both those nights.”
    Her frown deepened. “What nights?”
    He moved from the gloom, drawing closer. Her instinct was to back away, but she forced herself to remain in place.
    As he left the shadows behind, his features emerged and part of her brain recognized him, but she wouldn’t let the terrifying thought solidify.
    He wore faded jeans and a form-fitting black T-shirt. His pectoral muscles and biceps would rival a male model’s. They were tight and well-defined, not overly bulky like those