A/N: Many thanks to novembershowers, Al, sm2003495, Cherylann Rivers, and ChrisCorso for reviewing the previous chapter, along with MargaretA66 for following.

"Stratemeyer expected the girls to make only occasional appearances and to have relationships with the boys that 'would not go beyond the borders of wholesome friendship and discreet mutual esteem.'"—Leslie McFarlane, Ghost of the Hardy Boys

Saturday, July 10, 2021, Continued

"I should get going at some point," Nancy replied to the group. "But I have time to help—"

The Hardys immediately began to make comments that her presence today had been much appreciated and that she should leave whenever it was most convenient. Nancy's departure also cued others to begin cleaning up and taking their leave, which Nancy had been afraid of—although it had been a long day for the Hardys, and perhaps they wanted the event to be over as well. Nancy made a final round of goodbyes and condolences, taking extra time with Frank and Laura, with whom she had the closest relationships.

Several minutes later, Tony drove past the bus station. "Whoops, I missed the turn," he said to Nancy. "Should I go back for it?"

Nancy paused. "Does Joe need you tonight?" Frank and Biff rented an apartment together, and Joe and Tony rented an apartment together.

"Joe kicked me under the table right before I spoke up, to give me the signal—he says I'm really good at breaking up parties. He and Frank are staying at their parents' house tonight, watching old family movies," Tony said.

Nancy didn't speak further and soon they were on I-84 East. The radio was set to soft rock from the 70s. It was too windy to have the windows down, and the warm late-afternoon sunshine was making her eyelids heavy, especially after her red-eye flight that morning. Tony rested his arm along the back of the bench seat, a signal that she could either sleep against the window or against him. Nancy slid over, buckled into the middle seat belt, and snuggled against his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her waist to support her as she slept. The two-hour drive to Boston passed quickly and the next thing Nancy knew, Tony was nudging her to find a place to eat.

Nancy selected a small family-owned Mexican restaurant on the outskirts of Boston. Their funeral attire also worked nicely as Saturday date night attire. They'd already discussed general catch-up topics earlier in the day, so now they discussed deeper, more personal subjects. She and Tony talked in more detail about things they wanted from life and their opinions about religion, exploring how their views had modified over the years. They discovered that they were on the opposite ends of the political spectrum and had a lively debate. Nancy thought (and not for the first time that day) that even though she and Tony had each certainly changed, it was as if the past six years had been a blip on the radar, although their conversation was less flirty and more mature than it used to be.

"So how come you've never come back to Bayport?" Tony asked when they were done eating. "When you're such good friends with Frank and Joe, and their mom is your writing partner."

Nancy frowned in surprise, but considered the question. "I guess I've never had a reason to visit Bayport again. The Hardys and I only team up for away cases—in our own hometowns, we each have our own friends to help us. Laura and I got into a Zoom habit, and we email chapters to each other."

"Has today been painful for you?" Tony folded his arms on the table. "Have I made you cringe? Have I cried on your shoulder, or asked you to marry me?"

Nancy smiled. "No. It was nice to see you, and everyone else. If only it were under better circumstances."

"Then please," Tony finished, "start visiting Bayport once in a while. I'm not a pathetic jackass waiting around for you. I've had girlfriends since you."

"And this is why it's so much fun spending the day with an ex," Nancy said. "I can't wait to not hear about your girlfriends."

"I am not your ex," Tony reminded her. "You never broke up with me."

"I knew I forgot something on my to-do list."

"All I'm saying is that it was good to see you today, and I'd like to become friends."

Nancy had drawn the opposite conclusion. Their time together had been so enjoyable that she did not want to become friends. It had, however, reminded her that she was facing even more months of upcoming celibacy. Her client wasn't scheduled to call her until 9:00 the following morning. "Excuse me," Nancy hailed the waiter, "two Mexican coffees, please. We'll need the extra energy."

Tony's eyes lit up appreciatively when he tasted the brown sugar and cinnamon. "This'll sure keep me awake for the ride home," he said. "But you'll be up half the night, too."

"I hope so. It's up to you."

Tony's hand stilled. He lowered his coffee back to the table. "Are you toying with me, Nancy?" he asked sharply.

"No, I'm not. But I do want to tell you why I broke up with Ned six months ago." Nancy wrapped her hands around her mug. "This past year was his senior year of college, and he spent the whole year begging me to get married right after graduation and start a family."

"That bastard," Tony commented.

"Exactly. His only sin was that he wanted more commitment." Nancy met Tony's gaze frankly. "The fact that today wasn't awkward, that we're not waiting around for each other—I'd like for us to get a room tonight. As long as you understand that I am focused entirely on my career."

Nancy saw a flash of desire cross Tony's features, the old hunger entering his eyes; nevertheless he appeared to consider this for a long moment. "One night only," he said. "I guess I'm afraid that you'll regret it."

"I'll only regret tonight if I feel like I led you on or hurt you," Nancy said.

He slowly nodded.

They both had a second cup of coffee and Nancy used her phone to select a motel. "Laid Back Motel?" Tony asked as they pulled into the parking lot. He grabbed a handful of condoms from his glove box and shoved them into his pocket. "Pay-by-the-hour? Come on, let me get a better place than this."

But it was exactly what Nancy wanted: nothing romantic, nothing glamorous, no what-might-have-been. This was for the purpose of scratching an itch. A security camera glared its evil red eye as they walked in—more to cover the asses of the staff than to secure the patrons, Nancy suspected. They flashed ID, signed their names into a marble composition notebook, and followed the suggestion of the "Cash Preferred" sign.

Their entrance was even less romantic than Nancy had anticipated, as she took one look at their room and completed a full inspection for bedbugs and stains.

Finding none, the first time that Nancy and Tony had sex was immediately after they shed the bare minimum of clothing and followed safe protocol. It was rough and raw on the foot of the bed, a fulfillment to many petting episodes that had ended in teenaged frustration years ago. The condom broke and Tony immediately stopped and replaced it. Tony finished early, and Nancy wondered if it meant that he hadn't been with anyone else in a while.

They finished undressing and climbed into bed. Nancy enjoyed the time it took for their bodies to become ready again. They had an old-fashioned makeout session, becoming re-acquainted with each other's bodies and testing to see if the old tricks still worked. They did, plus several new tricks. Nancy felt an unwelcome pang of wistfulness; Tony was skilled and experienced, and Nancy knew just what to do to get a reaction. If she'd stayed in Bayport, they would have learned everything together.

"I miss your hair," Nancy sulked. "I don't have handlebars any more. Nothing at all to hang on to."

Tony found the comment to be hilarious and arousing. "You'd like it if I grew it back out, wouldn't you?" he teased, and they soon discovered that the bed had a delightfully noisy spring. Nor did they need to be concerned about noise levels, as those in the neighboring rooms obviously weren't. Then they took a break to laugh about old times and watch funny YouTube videos. Tony gave Nancy her first spanking, which she decided would not be her last. Eventually they came together a third time, slower paced, with caresses, Tony looking into her eyes with the light on; Nancy later admitted to herself that that particular session resembled lovemaking a lot more than scratching an itch.

Nancy woke up very early the next morning, only a bit sore. Tony was already awake. Nancy sat on top of him. Their final time was not very sexy, as they were both a bit groggy and had morning breath, but Nancy soon discovered that she appreciated the increased intimacy that came along with allowing Tony to see her this way. She felt comfortable, relaxed, and not judged. Tony told her to focus solely on her own pleasure this time, so she did.

Nancy declined Tony's offer to take her to breakfast or drop her off at the site of her case. She didn't want her suspects to see him and think that she had a boyfriend, and she wanted to get settled in before her client called.

Tony and Nancy waited for her Uber outside in the parking lot, with the watchful red dot of the security camera blinking down at them. He put his hands low on Nancy's hips. His goodbye kiss wasn't passionate, but rather soft and lingering.

"There is absolutely no expectation of this ever happening again," Tony said to her. He pressed a crumpled scrap of paper into her palm. "My number. In case you'd like to be friends."

The Uber arrived at the far curb and Tony transferred her bags into it, then walked to his truck without looking back.

Nancy felt a sense of loss as his truck turned out of the parking lot and disappeared from view. The feeling was uninvited, so she threw the scrap of paper out of the Uber window before she arrived at the apartment complex. It was time to fully immerse herself in her new case, with no distractions.