Author's Note: This story was inspired by my love for Spoby and my friend's love for Ezria. Currently it's just a one-shot, but I am planning to write more, so we'll see how this works out.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Pretty Little Liars.
"Absolutely not," Spencer Hastings said firmly as she and Aria Montgomery walked into her house after school one Friday afternoon.
"Aw, come on, Spence," Aria begged.
"For the last time, the answer is no!" Spencer exclaimed. "There's no way I'm going on a date with you and Mr. Fitz."
"Toby would be there too!" Aria said. "And can you please call him Ezra?"
"Aria, he's my teacher," Spencer said, ignoring Aria's comment.
"Former teacher," Aria corrected.
"Whatever! It would still be awkward, and can you imagine what my parents would say if they found out?"
"They don't have to know if you don't want them to," Aria said. "Look, I thought it would be a good idea for Ezra to get to know my friends better, and I wanted to start with you."
"I'm honored," Spencer said sarcastically.
"Seriously, Spencer! You don't think a Team Sparia double date would be fun? Just give it a chance. Please."
Spencer sighed. This was absolutely insane. "Fine," she relented. "I'll call Toby and find out if he's busy tonight."
"Thank you!" Aria said, beaming widely and throwing her arms around her best friend. "Ezra's already on board, so if Toby is available, we're good to go."
Shaking her head, Spencer pulled out her cell phone to call Toby. What am I getting myself into? she wondered.
Toby picked up on the first ring. "Spencer? Is everything okay?"
"Yeah!" Spencer replied. "I just wanted to know if you were busy tonight."
"I don't think so. Why?"
"Aria's going out with Mr. Fi - Ezra, and they were wondering if we were interested in going along and making it a double date."
"Sure!" Toby said enthusiastically. "I hardly ever get to see Aria. It should be fun."
"Great! When are you finished with work?"
"Five-fifteenish, I think. Can I pick you up at six?"
"Perfect," Spencer agreed. "See you then! Bye!"
She hung up the phone and turned to see Aria grinning at her. "So I take it that's a yes?"
The two girls spent some time discussing plans for the evening and doing a bit of homework before Aria decided to run home and get ready for their date.
Spencer dug around in her closet for a while until she found a dress and heels to wear. She curled her hair and had just finished putting on makeup when there was a knock on the door. Taking a deep breath, she went to open it.
"Hey," she said, reaching up slightly to kiss Toby. She did her best to smile, but Toby still noticed that something was off.
"You know, we don't have to do this if you don't want to," he said. "I can say that something came up at work, or that I got sick -"
"No," Spencer said quickly. "I don't want you to lie. I'm doing this for Aria. Besides, I feel a lot better now that you're here."
"Good," Toby said. "It sure would be a waste for you to dress up like that for nothing. You look amazing."
"Thank you," Spencer said, smiling genuinely. "Now, we'd better get going. We don't want to be late."
Toby drove his truck into the parking lot of the Italian restaurant where they had agreed to meet. He and Spencer got out and walked inside.
"Spencer!" Aria called, waving her friend over to the table she and Ezra were already occupying. She jumped up and hugged Spencer as if they hadn't just seen each other a couple hours ago. Spencer returned the gesture and then took a deep breath. She turned to the man behind Aria as Aria greeted Toby.
"Nice to see you again, Spencer," Ezra said warmly.
"You too, Ezra," Spencer replied. Despite it being the first time she'd called Mr. Fitz 'Ezra' to his face, it felt surprisingly natural. She beamed, feeling more confident.
"I don't believe you've been formally introduced to my boyfriend, Toby Cavanaugh," she said. "Toby, this is Ezra Fitz."
"Nice to meet you," Ezra said, shaking Toby's hand.
"You too," Toby said. "Thanks for inviting us."
Spencer glanced nervously at Aria as they sat down. What were they going to talk about now that the formalities were over? Aria merely smiled reassuringly.
"So, Toby," Ezra began as they perused the menu. "How have things been with you since you left Rosewood High School?"
"Really great, actually. I think I made the right decision. I've been working as a carpenter, and I enjoy it a lot," Toby answered.
"He's very talented, too," Spencer said proudly. "I've seen a lot of the things he's built."
Ezra nodded. "That's good to hear."
"Maybe you could make something for Ezra's apartment," Aria said. "Goodness knows it could use a little sprucing up."
"Hey!" Ezra said indignantly. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm just joking. I love your apartment," Aria said, leaning over to give Ezra a peck on the cheek.
A waiter approached them to take their orders, temporarily interrupting them. Once he left, Spencer picked up the conversation.
"Aria mentioned that you're working on a novel, Ezra," she said. "What can you tell us about it?"
"I can tell you it's far from being a novel," Ezra replied, chuckling. "I'm still developing characters and outlining plotlines."
Just like that, the apprehension Spencer had been feeling about the evening vanished. Being an avid reader, she eagerly pressed Ezra for more details about his book. Then, when she'd squeezed out every piece of information she could get, they launched into a discussion about their favorite authors.
"Look at them," Toby said to Aria after observing Spencer and Ezra for a while. "I was worried that Spencer was going to be uncomfortable all night, but it's like they've known each other for years."
"They certainly have become fast friends," Aria agreed. "But that was part of the reason for this date, so I'm not complaining."
"Well, we might as well take the opportunity to get caught up with each other," Toby said. "What have you been up to lately?"
"I've been doing a bit of writing myself," Aria said. "School and homework keep me pretty busy, though. Plus I recently signed up to take some advanced painting classes."
"That sounds interesting," Toby said. "I wish I was artistic."
"Says the guy who made his girlfriend a full-sized, functioning rocking chair," Aria countered. "And I seem to recall Emily telling me about a year ago that you were fantastic at drawing. I don't think she'd make that up."
"Speaking of my girlfriend," Toby said, blushing slightly at the compliment, "I'd better stop her before she completely overwhelms Ezra. If she hasn't done so already." He turned to Spencer, who was now chatting enthusiastically with Ezra about Tolkien versus Tolstoy, and gently laid a hand on her knee.
"All right, Spence, take it easy," he said. "Give Ezra a chance to breathe."
"Sorry!" Spencer apologized, looking embarrassed. "I got carried away."
"Only a little," Aria said teasingly.
They were again interrupted by the arrival of their food, and then they struck up a group conversation. Ezra, it turned out, was a very amusing storyteller, and kept them all entertained with various stories (though to Aria's chagrin, most of them were at her expense).
"You should see her when we watch horror movies together," Ezra said, elbowing Aria. "She's such a little baby – always screaming at the smallest little things and closing her eyes at the scariest parts. I bet she goes home afterward and sleeps with the lights on."
"Oh, really?" Spencer said interestedly. "Whenever someone wants to watch a horror movie at our sleepovers with the girls, Aria says she's already seen it or it sounds lame."
"Which is always true!" Aria cut in. "Don't believe him, Spencer."
"Then please explain to me why my circulation practically gets cut off from you squeezing my hand so hard and why I become nearly deaf in one ear," Ezra said. "I'm surprised I haven't been kicked out of my apartment because of the racket she makes."
"That only happened once! And that movie was terrifying!" Aria said defensively.
"I don't know, Aria. It sounds like your secret's out," Toby said with a laugh.
Aria crossed her arms and pretended to pout. "Is this revenge for insulting your apartment?" she huffed. "Whose idea was this date, anyway?"
"Yours," Ezra, Spencer, and Toby chorused.
"That was a rhetorical question!" Aria said. "But while we're on the subject, remind me to never suggest it again."
"Oh, come on, Aria. You know we love you," Spencer said.
"Speak for yourself," Ezra said. Aria glared at him. "Kidding!" he added hastily. "Wow, if looks could kill, I think I'd be dead."
"You and me both, Ezra," Toby said, earning himself a glare from Spencer that was nearly identical to Aria's. Toby merely gestured to her. "I rest my case."
"Men," Aria said, rolling her eyes at Spencer. "What are we going to do with them?"
The teasing and friendly banter continued throughout the rest of the meal. The group was having so much fun that they ended up staying for dessert. Afterward, they split the bill and then headed out of the restaurant.
"I take back what I said earlier. We have to do this again sometime," Aria remarked as the four of them exchanged hugs and handshakes.
"Definitely. I'm so glad you talked me into this," Spencer said. Toby wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"We should go. I have to be at work early tomorrow," he said. "But thank you again for inviting us along on this date."
"I'm already looking forward to the next one," Ezra said, taking Aria's hand in his.
They said their final goodbyes before parting ways to go to their respective vehicles, a smile on each of their faces. All in all, the evening had been a success.