Joe sat in a corner booth waiting for Vanessa. He took a sip of his soda and watched shoppers come in for some refreshments. A group of teenagers walked in, causing Joe to smile. Prito’s Pizza had always been a local hangout for teens. He recalled the many times that he had been here celebrating a football win or hanging out at the mall during the hot days of summer. Joe’s smile grew wider when he saw a familiar face and waved to get the person’s attention.

Biff Hooper slid into the booth and leaned forward, his hand reaching for Joe’s drink.

“Get your own!” laughed Joe as he moved the glass out of reach.

“Aww, come on! Help out an unemployed college student!” pouted Biff.

“You’re lucky I like blondes!” laughed Joe as he signaled the waitress and ordered another soda.

“Where’s Frank – is he downstairs getting more software?”

“No, he and Callie are having a picnic. I’m waiting for Vanessa – we’re going shopping.”

Biff had just taken a drink of his soda when Joe told him he was going shopping. He spewed the drink, spraying Joe with the sticky liquid.

“Thanks for the shower, Biff!” Joe grabbed some napkins.

“Sorry but…you – Joe Hardy – my friend who I’ve listened to complain about having to go to the mall and shop?!”

Joe smiled. “Yeah but that was shopping for new school clothes – this is for a new swim suit for Vanessa! And she’s promised to model every one she tries on!” He waggled his eyebrows as his grin grew wider.

“Does Vanessa know what a dog you are?” teased Biff, not noticing Vanessa walk in. He was about to take a drink when someone hit the back of his head.

“No one is allowed to tease my boyfriend…except me!” Vanessa slid in next to Joe, resting her head on his shoulder.

Biff rubbed the back of his head while scowling at Vanessa. She knew that he wasn’t really mad, seeing the corner of his mouth twitch as he tried not to smile.

“Aren’t you three a little old for these childish antics?” chuckled Mr. Prito.

“I don’t know about those two but I was being a mature adult minding my own business!” answered Biff trying to mask the laughter in his voice.

“Hello, Mr. Prito,” smiled Vanessa.

“Hi, Mr. Prito – have you heard from Tony?”

“How is he enjoying his trip in Sicily?” asked Vanessa excitedly.

“I talked to him last night – he’s having a good time. He’s having fun getting reacquainted with his aunt and uncle. He also said he’s learned a few recipes to try out.” Mr. Prito beamed with pride.

“When is he coming back?” asked Biff.

“Not for another three weeks.”

“The next time you speak with him, let Tony know that we miss him and he should send out an email or something!” Vanessa smiled at Mr. Prito.

“Sure thing…and don’t worry about the drinks. Are you hungry? I can make you my specialty pizza!”

“I’ll just have a salad – I have bathing suits to try on!” laughed Vanessa.

“I think Biff and I can share a large pizza, thank you Mr. Prito!”

Vanessa ended up eating one slice of pizza with her salad – she took it to stop the playful argument that Biff and Joe were having over the last slice. Before Joe could protest, she reminded him about needing a new swim suit. With a quick goodbye to Biff, Joe practically shoved Vanessa out of the booth. As they walked out of the pizzeria, they could hear Biff’s laughter.

“Gee, Joe – I’ve never seen you so anxious to go shopping before!” teased Vanessa.

“Don’t you just love discovering new things about me?” Joe grinned mischievously at her.

Vanessa rolled her eyes before giving Joe a peck on the cheek. Walking hand in hand they soon arrived at the unique boutique store she had found. She picked out several bathing suits then led Joe to towards the dressing room. There was a sitting area where friends or family members could wait for the customers. Joe sat down and waited for Vanessa.

He was thumbing through an old magazine someone had left behind when he heard a small cough. Joe looked up to find Vanessa standing just outside her changing room. She wore a strapless one-piece bathing suit – the top part was black, the lower was a dark green, and the suit showed off her long legs. With a smile on her face, Vanessa sashayed towards him.

“What do you think – do you like it?” She playfully fluttered her eyelashes.

“Uh…do I like…oh yeah…I like!”

“Too bad, because I have a few more for you to see!” giggled Vanessa. She then hurried back to her dressing room.

Vanessa modeled five more bathing suits and settled for a red one-piece with a plunging back.

“We should go back to the beach tomorrow!” was Joe’s fervent suggestion.

Vanessa just laughed before throwing her arms around Joe and kissing him soundly on the lips.

*****

After walking Vanessa to her car and making sure that she got in safely, Joe drove back home. As he pulled into the driveway Callie pulled up to the curb. She and Frank got out of her car as Joe was walking to the front door.

“Hi Callie – how was the picnic?”

“Nice and romantic – Frank found a beautiful spot with a tree to shade us and sweet smelling flowers.”

“Frank you devil!” teased Joe.

“How was the mall?” Frank decided to change the subject.

“Good, I must take Vanessa there more often!”

“Excuse me – did you just imply that Joe went shopping at the mall?” asked a dubious Callie.

“The only reason he went is because Vanessa promised to model some bathing suits!” retorted Frank.

“I knew there had to be a reason!” laughed Callie.

*****

Dr. Samuels made sure that inmate 328203 was sent to the infirmary – stating that she had a session with him. Once she arrived, the doctor sent back another inmate with the guard. The prison guard didn’t notice the look that passed between the inmate and doctor.

Samuels took #328203 into his office. Ten minutes later he opened his office door and asked the nurse to go to the storage room to get him a new bulb for his desk lamp. When the nurse left the room, Dr. Samuels led his patient – now dressed in a nurse’s uniform – out of the infirmary. As they hurried down the corridor suddenly an alarm began to blare.

Holding hands tightly they ran down the stairs until they reached an exit. Dr. Samuels knew they had to hurry before the prison went into lockdown. He pushed open the emergency exit door. They ran down more flights of stairs, and just as they were about to reach the last floor, they encountered two guards.

“You better hurry, doctor – they’re about to lock the last exit.”

“Yes, yes…thank you. Come Allie, we must hurry!”

They made it of the prison. The young woman turned for one last look...then smiled as she thought about Bayport.

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.