Ezra's POV
I went to lunch with Hardy and it was great to catch up but he knew something was going on. I needed to tell him everything. I could not believe that all of this had happened in the matter of two days. After explaining to Hardy everything that was going on, even the part about the bikini, he basically told me to go for it. To stop procrastinating and just see what happens. I decide I'm going to make a move and invite her out on a date or something. As I approach her to help lock up and strike up conversation I scare her and she falls in the lake. I jump in to save her only to find out we are in three feet of water and she won't stop laughing.
Even soaked and disheveled she's beautiful, plus the image of her in her bikini is burned on my brain. I decide this is it. I brush the hair off of her face, pulling her close to me; I lean in to kiss her. Now we are standing in the lake holding hands and smiling with big goofy grins on our faces. I needed to end the silence in some way. "So are you working tonight?" She started to laugh again. I thought to myself I should have come up with something better to say.
"No, are you?"
"No. Do you want to go out for a ride, maybe get out of here for a while?"
"Yeah, I have to change first though."
"Yeah, I do too." We both began to laugh and I lead her out of the lake. "I'm really sorry you fell in because of me."
"It's ok. I'm really glad you were here to save me." She said with a laugh. She still hadn't let go of my hand and I wasn't ready to let go either.
"I need to grab my stuff in the beach hut."
"Yeah me too. Do you have your bike?"
"Nope, I'm on foot."
"Me too." She said with a smile. She locked the door and we headed back to the cabins. As we were walking up the road side by side my hand found hers. I still could not believe the electricity I felt when holding her hand. "So where do you want to go tonight?" She asked.
"Well, I thought we'd go for a ride and grab dinner and maybe an ice cream. I know a great place I haven't been to yet this summer. I used to go when I was kid with my family. They have a water fall, it's very pretty." With all my reminiscing I didn't realize we had arrived at the cabins. We stopped in front of hers still holding hands.
"That sounds great. I'm going to jump in the shower and change then I'll be ready. Meet here in about an hour?"
"Sounds good, I'll see you soon." Without thinking I leaned in and gave her a quick kiss and turned to walk away. Of course there were plenty of people around who noticed but I didn't care. This wasn't some secret I was going to keep.
Of course I hadn't asked Aria if she was ready to go public. Maybe that could be a topic of conversation for tonight. There were a lot of things I wanted to ask her. I still really hadn't gotten to know her yet.
"Why are you wet?" A voice asked me as I walked through the door.
"Why are you in my cabin?" I asked Hardy.
"You answer me first," he said laughing.
"I jumped into the lake to save Aria after I sort of pushed her in." I said with the straightest face I could.
"Jeez, I said to make a move not drown her." He said laughing.
"So why are you here?"
"Just seeing what you are up to tonight?"
"I'm going out with Aria. I made a move."
"Really? Well how did it go?"
"She said yes, so I'd say well."
"You just asked her on a date. Nothing else?" He said moving his eye brows up and down waiting for an answer.
"I may have kissed her, but I'm a gentleman and we do not discuss such things," I said jokingly, emphasizing the work gentleman.
"Was it good?"
"Hardy, I'm not talking about it. But it was perfect. Like I said before I don't know what this girl is doing to me but I can't stop thinking about her."
"So what are you going to wear?" He says sarcastically.
"Well I have so many choices."
"Seriously, where are you taking her?"
"First, I thought we could go to the Whitier House for dinner."
"Nice, that's a good way to start the night."
"Yeah I thought so."
"Then where?"
"I was thinking ice cream by the dam."
"Oh, I see. That's very romantic. Is the blanket still in the back of the Jeep?" I throw a pillow at his head as he says this.
"Hey, just because we're going there doesn't mean anything."
"Oh please I've known you since I was fourteen years old, I think you are forgetting who you're talking to."
"Aria's different, don't get me wrong I want something to happen but that's not all I want from her."
"Wow, I'm impressed. I've never known you to be like this. This girl really has changed your way of thinking." He said his tone turning more serious.
"I know, like I said I don't know how this happened."
"Hey, who knows how it happened but just go with it. And have fun tonight."
"Thanks buddy, I will." Hardy left and I could hear him talking right outside the door. I looked out the window, making sure no one could see me looking out. It was Jackie. She was just what I didn't want to deal with.
"Hey Hardy," Jackie said.
"Hey Jackie, he isn't back yet. I'm not sure where he is but he isn't here." He said.
"Really," she said looking at her watch. "Oh, well if you see him can you tell him I'm looking for him."
"Sure," Hardy said and he continued down the steps. Jackie walked away as well. He was a good friend.
I needed to get ready to go out with Aria. I really didn't want to deal with Jackie and spoil my mood. Plus I honestly don't know what she doesn't get about the fact we are over and apparently I am moving on. At least it feels like I am.
I showered quickly but I couldn't decide what I wanted to wear. Who would have ever thought it would take me so long to pick out an outfit? I was like a giddy girl going on a date. I looked at myself in the mirror. "Pull yourself together; it's going to be fine." I said to my reflection. I checked my watch; I had to put a move on it. I didn't want to keep her waiting.
Aria's POV
I stood at the bottom of the steps for a minute watching him walk away. I am just trying to wrap my mind around what has happened in the past two days as well as the last fifteen minutes or so. He turns back and notices I am still watching him. He gives a little wave and I walk up the stairs.
As I walked into the cabin I already heard the giggles. "What are you two laughing at?" I asked Hanna and Spencer.
"Oh, we're just going to be friends," Spencer said in a mocking tone.
"I knew something was going on since we saw you guys together last night," Hanna added.
"Seriously guys it just happened today."
"Sure, if that's what you want us to believe," Spencer says.
"Why are you wet?" Hanna asked.
"Oh you won't believe this. Ezra came up behind me to help me lock the boats up and he scared me. When I stood up quickly I lost my footing and fell off the dock." Both of them burst out laughing. "Oh wait, it gets better. He jumped in to save me."
"Um, it's not that deep." Spencer said still laughing.
"I know. But then we were standing there and he pushed my hair out of my face and he kissed me."
"What?!" They said in unison.
"Yeah, he just leaned in and went for it and it was really good. No it was great. I have never felt this way before."
"Wow, I'm impressed." Spencer says.
"That is so romantic. I want some romance like that," Hanna jokingly whines.
"Yes, falling into the lake screams romance. Plus you have Caleb. I wouldn't say you have it that bad," I remark.
"He seems to have no problem with the PDA's." Spencer added.
"Yeah, I noticed. I can't wait for the news to spread. I'm sure I'll have to deal with Jackie at some point."
"Yeah, you should be prepared for that." Spencer said.
"She isn't nice and she's really been in a bad mood since she started working which is probably because of Ezra." Hanna added. "I've had to deal with her a couple of times in the store already and it hasn't been great."
"Good to know. We'll just have to wait and see what happens."
"So what are we doing tonight?" Spencer asked.
"Actually Ezra and I are going out."
"Like on a date?" Hanna squealed.
"I think so. I really need to take a shower."
"Go ahead. We'll pick you out something to wear," Spencer said with a wink.
I headed into the bathroom. I showered quickly and tried to do my hair and makeup as quickly as I could. I know that he has a Jeep and it's a nice night so the top will probably be off. I decided to pull my hair back. Checking myself in the mirror I think I accomplished what I wanted to. I wanted to look pretty but natural, besides he's seen me sweaty from running and soaked from the lake, this had to be an improvement. I had to get going, I really didn't want to leave him waiting, especially the first time we go out. God only knows what they picked out for me.
"So we have two options," Hanna said. "I picked out this purple sun dress, brown belt and brown sandals."
"I picked out this black dress with silver jewelry and silver sandals," Spencer added.
"We both think you should bring a jean jacket if it gets cool." Hanna said.
"No offense Spence, but I'm going with purple. Black is a little dressy and we're just going for ice cream."
"Fine, suit yourself," she said feigning disappointment.
I dressed quickly. "How do I look?"
"You look great." Hanna said.
"Yeah, you really do. You better get going, I think I see him walking towards the door," Spencer said.
"Make him come to the door like a gentleman," Hanna squealed.
"No way, I'm not letting you two grill him. He doesn't need to deal with you guys. I'm sure he'll get enough of that later."
"I don't blame you," Spencer said. "Have fun!"
"I will, thanks," I said heading out the door.
There he was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. He looked good in khaki shorts and a navy polo shirt; it really brought out his eyes. He had even combed his hair trying to control his curls. "I was going to come up and get you." He leaned in to give me a hug. Whatever cologne he was wearing smelled great.
"That's ok, I noticed you out the window. Are you ready to go?" I noticed he could not take his eyes off me.
"Yeah, I am. You look great, by the way."
"Thanks, you look pretty good yourself. It's nice to be in something other than a staff shirt."
"Very true. Follow me, my car is over in staff parking," he said grabbing my hand.
I smiled and followed his lead. I could not believe that I was going on a date with Ezra Fitz. So much had changed in such a short amount of time it was hard to believe it was real.
Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Jackie watching us. She did not seem happy to watch us walk out together. I'm sure we would be paying for this in some way later. It's pretty sad when someone just doesn't take the hint.
