*perfectionist moment* The bold in the italic 'reminder of last events' section at the start is what was MEANT to be in the last chapter. I'm still new here, but I edited and reuploaded the chapter to fix this mistake of missing words, but it didn't seem to come through unfortunately. So, yes, I hope that makes more sense now. I still don't know how it disappeared in the first place.

Thank you every person who reviewed! And some new people too which is so great! :) Enjoy your weekend wherever you are! Take care ~St0ryTeller

"ARIA?" Spencer screamed.

"Yeah Spence, what's wrong?" Aria asked with confusion as to why her friend was screaming at her.

"Hanna just called me. Your dad is trying to find you. He's checking our houses to find you. I assume he's trying Emily's next, then Alison's. Mine is last in the line, so GET HERE NOW! He's about to kill you."

Without a second of hesitation, Aria smashed her lips against Ezra's and ran out of the door without a word. He sat there bewildered, his eyes still staring at the front door Aria had just disappeared out of.

Byron was at Spencer's front door.

"Who is it?" Spencer asked toward her front door.

"Spencer, it's Byron; is Aria with you?"

Spencer shifted on the other side of the door. Aria hadn't arrived yet.

"Yes, Mr Montgomery; she's here," Spencer replied, attempting to sound convincing.

"Can I see her then?"

A small click came from Spencer's back door as Aria closed it softly. Spencer motioned her hand for Aria to come to the door. Widening her eyes in slight confusion before understanding Byron was there; Aria crept over to the front door to join Spencer.

"I'm here, Byron; what do you want?"

Byron cleared his throat, "I'm sorry, Aria, I thought you may have been with him," he said in a snarl.

Spencer's eyes widened at Aria, knowing there was going to be a good story here later.

"Well, I'm here, okay?" Aria replied to Byron while glaring at Spencer's excitement.

"Okay, fine. Goodnight," he said as he left down the front veranda and drove his car out of the driveway.

Spencer slapped Aria's arm, "Oww," Aria screamed. "What was that for?"

"Juicy details, right now, GO!" Spencer demanded.

Aria raised her eyebrows cheekily as a smile grew on her face, before she grabbed spencer by the crook of her arm and dragged her so they were sitting on the couch. Aria filled her best friend in on every detail; the bookshop, Byron, how amazing Ezra's lips were against hers. Most importantly, she told Spencer to keep everything a secret so Byron doesn't hear through the grape vine.

About 10 minutes later, Aria reached to give Spencer a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you so much, Spence! But, I've got to go."

"Wait, I…" Spencer replied, but Aria was already out the door.

Ezra started waking up and before he had even opened his eyes, a smell he adored and knew as Aria's perfume was teasing his nose. He then noticed long waves of hair were against his neck and arms, and someone was asleep on his torso, his arm wrapped around the petite body. He inhaled deeply as he opened his eyes and he ran his arm that wasn't already embracing her through her hair, before kissing the top of her head.

"You hide your front door key in the most obvious place. Under the doormat, really?" Aria teased.

"But if I hadn't hidden it in such an obvious place, I wouldn't be having the most wonderful morning I've ever had, with the most beautiful girl in my arms."

Aria smiled up at him before returning her cheek to his torso, her hand resting on his chest.

"So, your mum…" Ezra started.

"Thinks I'm staying at Spencer's," Aria answered. "I texted her on my way back her last night."

"Why did you run out of here last night?" He asked, clearly still surprised by the event.

"Byron was trying to find me. Spencer held up the fort until I was able to get there. She totally saved us."

"Wow," Ezra breathed as his hand rubbed up and down Aria's back protectively and lovingly.

"Close all then," he said leaning down to delicately kiss her lips.

They both silently rested where they laid in each other's arms, sharing, they were sure, the exact same thoughts. They had almost been caught; Aria sent away.

"I'm looking forward to meeting Ella," Ezra said as Aria snuggled her head into his chest before tilting her head back, smiling at him.

"Alright," Aria said loudly and threw her hands on Ezra's stomach with a slight element of force as she began getting off his bed. He screamed and started laughing with shock as he watched her crawl out from the sheets, as his hands still clutched his stomach.

"Thank you, Ella; dinner was great," Ezra said.

"You're very welcome, Ezra," Ella replied with a genuine smile.

"Can I help with the washing up?" He asked her, as his hand rested on Aria's knee.

"Oh no, you're fine; I don't mind doing it kids," she said smiling at Aria and Ezra before she collected the plates that were in front of them; taking them to the kitchen.

"You did really well," Aria said as she gave Ezra a quick passionate kiss. Ezra casually put his arm around her shoulders to hold her against him for longer, as one of her free hands rested to the side of his neck. They heard steps behind them belonging to Ella, and quickly sprang apart from each other as Ella giggled.

"Alright you two, you're free to go," Ella said with a smile. Thank you for dinner, and it was great to meet you Ezra," she said extending her hand which Ezra immediately shook as he stood from his chair.

"Thank you, Ella. It was great to meet you too" he responded smiling as Aria stood next to him, putting one of her hands on his lower back, the other on his stomach.

"Thanks mum, I'm glad we did this. And, thank you," Aria said with a genuinely large smile "for everything."

Ella smiled understanding what her daughter was saying, "I am too Aria. Alright, I'll see you both later," Ella said before heading towards the home phone which had just started to ring. Aria's face shot wide in surprise as she turned to Ezra, whose face was mirroring hers. Aria chased after Ella, reaching her before she picked up the phone.

"What did you mean by that?" Aria asked; her eyes still wide with a slight twinge of excitement.

"I mean, I can tell you two love each other deeply; it's evident from how you both look at each other. You can stay at Ezra's if you want. I trust you both. He's a good guy Aria," she said grazing her daughter's cheek briefly before answering the phone.

"Hello? Oh, Byron," Ella said turning to Aria and Ezra who had just reached the front door ready to leave, and were now waiting to hear what Byron had to say nervously.

"Sure, here's Aria," Ella said as she held the phone out toward her daughter. Aria slowly began walking towards her mother before putting the phone to her ear.

"Yes Byron," Aria said blankly.

"Aria, I feel bad I'm keeping you from the guy you like, so…"

"So what, Byron?"

"I'm setting you up with my neighbour, Josh."

"WHAT? You can't be serious." Aria responded in a scream.

"He's nice, 22; I think you'll like him. And I'm not taking no for an answer because I feel bad about what recently happened; but I'm not changing my mind though about, him. Nor what I'll do if you date him."

Aria was in too much shock to respond.

"So, Josh will be taking you out to dinner Friday. I'll tell him you're looking forward to it. Okay, bye Aria," he said before hanging up the phone.

The phone slid out of Aria's hand as she turned to Ezra.