Chapter 1
23-year-old Aria Montgomery sighed as she walked into the coffee shop where she worked. She loved her job, it was far better than her day job as an editor for a local newspaper. She wanted to write her own stories, not edit other people' work. The coffee shop was run by Henrietta and Robert Oakwood, an elderly couple who treated Aria like their own. The coffee shop was tucked up in a little corner, far away from all the lies, secrets and gossip that the town which she grew up in was notoriously known for. The little coffee shop was her little heaven. Apart from it being a coffee shop, it was also a library, with the shop's walls covered in shelves and shelves of old literature, Aria's favourite. During her free time, she often found herself drawn to the books, running her fingers along their old, damaged spines, flipping one of the books open and breathing in the all-too familiar scent of old books that she loved so very much. Since she was in middle school, Aria had always had dreams to study in New York and major in English. English Literature was the key to Aria's happiness. However, there was one very big hurdle that was stopping her from living her dreams: a baby. Aria's present from a very foolish and drunken one-night stand.
"Aria dear?" Henrietta sweet Southern accent rang from the kitchen before she walked out wearing her floral print apron, holding a tray of her signature muffins. "I'm so glad you're here dear. We've certainly had such a crowd. Had to bake a second bath of these," Henrietta said, gesturing to the muffins which were now cooling on the cooling rack. Aria could not help but smile at the old lady's enthusiasm. "That's great, happy to hear. Some good news finally. Work today was terrible as usual," Aria huffed as she tied her apron and plopped herself down on the seat as she awaited customers. Henrietta knew about Aria's struggles and shot Aria a sympathetic smile as she wrapped her arms around Aria's petite frame and rubbed her back gently. "It'll get better, honey. It'll get better," Henrietta whispered into Aria's ear as her the tears in Aria's hazel eyes threatened to flow. No matter how many times people told Aria her situation was going to get better, it never did. If possible, they worsened, making her life even more nightmarish. She loved her baby with all she had and would never trade her for the world but at the ripe, young age of 23, Aria did not want to be working round the clock in order to make ends meet. This was not supposed to happen.
"Aria, I got you a little something. I was saving it up for your birthday next month, but I think you deserve it now," Henrietta said, interrupting Aria's train of thoughts as she pushed the beautifully wrapped present to Aria. "Thank you so much, you shouldn't have," Aria looked at Henrietta in disbelief, she had completely no idea why someone as kind-hearted and wise as Henrietta would care for a screw-up like her. Aria carefully unwrapped the package only to find a book. It was the critically acclaimed romance novel titled "Love's Vanishing Acts" by Ezra Fitz to be exact. Seeing it all over bookstores and billboards, Aria had always wanted to purchase it but never got the chance to as baby milk formula was far more important. "How…how did you know I've always wanted this? Thank you so, so much Henrietta," Aria whispered. "Come on, Aria. Do you really think I'm that blind? I see you every day. I better leave you alone now, looks like customers are coming," Henrietta chuckled as she strolled back into the kitchen. Aria's heart swelled and in a long time, she actually felt loved.
During her breaks throughout the shift, Aria found herself glued to the book, engulfing every single page, every single line, every single word of the masterpiece. The book was about a man who tried so desperately to find his one true love without realising that she was right under his nose all along. It was safe to say that Aria was hooked. She could not stop reading the book. However, little did Aria Montgomery know that Ezra Fitz would come strolling into the coffee shop wanting a cup of black coffee with two shots of espresso.