Thanks for all the love. I'm glad everyone likes the story. Sorry for the late update. Here's the next chapter.

Aria

Aria made her way back over to the Brew. Upon entering the shop, she noticed her mother, heavily flirting with the extremely attractive man behind the counter. Aria smiled at the fact that her mother was finally able to be interested in someone after having her marriage fall apart. Aria made her way over to where her mother stood, and cleared her throat to get the couples attention.

"Oh, hey sweetie," Ella said to her daughter, unable to hide her attraction to the man her daughter had never met. "This is Zack, Zack this is my daughter, Aria."

"It's nice to meet you," Aria said, trying to hide the smirk directed towards her mother.

"It's nice to finally meet you too, Aria."

"Well, we should get going, we haven't been home yet, and I'm sure Aria is ready to relax. We're still on for tomorrow right?"

"Of course, see you then," Zack said before placing a chaste kiss to Ella's lips. Aria smirked as she saw her mother kiss someone other than her father for the first time. After they both said their goodbyes and exited, Aria and Ella entered her car, with Aria reaching for her much-needed caffeine fix, and made their way home. After entering the house, Aria and Ella both sat down, ready to dig in to their lunch.

"So," Aria began after swallowing the food in her mouth, "You and Zack, how long has that been going on?"

"About three months, I really like him. Are you okay with this, I know I kind of sprung it on you."

"Mom, it's okay. Dad has moved on, it's time that you did too."

Ella smiled at what her daughter had said. Her biggest fear was that Aria wouldn't be ready to see her mother with a new man.

"Thanks, sweetie. What about you, any suitors while you were in Iceland?"

A year ago, just before she left, this question would've upset her. Just before she left, she caught her boyfriend, Noel, making out with another girl. Soon after arriving to her new home, her friends had informed her that he and said girl were dating publicly. This hurt her because she was so sure that she loved him. Luckily, she never put out with him, and he wasn't happy about it. It took her a long time to get over his betrayal, but now she was, and ready to give love a second chance.

"I hung out with a couple of guys, but nothing serious. Not since Noel."

"You gonna be okay seeing him at school?"

"Yeah, I'm over it. Besides, I met someone today."

"Already?" Ella asked a bit shocked, "You've been home less than an hour, where'd you meet this guy?"

"At the Slicery. He was working the bar when I got the food."

Ella's excitement over her daughter finally getting back out there began to fade when she remembered that Ezra was the bartender working today.

"What's this guy's name?" Ella asked, sure she already knew the answer.

"Ezra, I think. He was gorgeous, and we have a lot in common, he's supposed to call me for a date."

At that moment, Ella felt compelled to tell Aria that she used to have a relationship with the guy who had her so smitten, but decided against it when she noticed how excited she was about him.

"Yeah, I think I know him, you're right, he is gorgeous."

Aria blushed at hearing her mother talk about him like that, but she knew it was true. She couldn't wait to hear from him. Maybe, just maybe he could make her forget about what happened with Noel.

Aria slept in the next day, before spending the entire afternoon unpacking. Since her mom had a date later that night, Aria made plans to meet up with her friends. When 6 o'clock rolled around, Aria waited patiently for Spencer to pick her up. After a short wait, Aria heard the doorbell ring, and made her way over to open. Once opened, a huge smile spread across her face as she saw her three friends standing there.

"Aria!" Spencer squealed, hugging her best friend for the first time in over a year.

"Hey, Spence, I'm so happy to see you, all of you," Aria said before letting go of Spencer to hug Hanna and Emily as well.

"You guys ready, the movie starts in a half hour." Spencer said after their brief reunion.

Just as the group made their way out of the door, Aria saw Zack making his way up the walkway.

"Hey, Zack," Aria said very friendly to let him know she was okay with this new relationship.

"Hey, Aria."

After exchanging pleasantries, Aria and her friends entered Spencer's car, while Zack continued up to the house.

Zack

Zack rang the bell, waiting patiently for Ella to answer. Moments later, she opened the door, and took his breath away.

"You look amazing," Zack told her honestly.

"You don't look too bad yourself."

Zack then stepped aside, allowing her to exit the house. After giving her a kiss, Zack took a hold of her hand and lead her to his car. Once he started it up, he look over to her a said,

"I was thinking Mexican, if that's okay?"

"Yeah, sure."

The couple then drove in comfortable silence until they arrived to their destination. Once they were seated, and both ordered margaritas, they sat there, looking over the menus, making small talk.

"So, how is it having Aria living with you again?"

"It's great. I really missed both my kids, but I'm so happy Aria decided to come back."

"So, everything's going smoothly?"

Ella didn't respond right away, causing Zack to notice.

"What?"

"It's just she met Ezra yesterday and he asked her out."

"Does she know?"

"No, I didn't tell her."

"Maybe you should. I know it's not my place, but I think she deserves to know."

"I'll let him tell her if he wants. She hasn't talked about a guy this way in a long time, and besides I trust him not to hurt her."

Zack nodded. Even though he didn't know Ezra that well, Ella did, and he knew that Ella wouldn't let him near her daughter if he wasn't a good guy.

Ezra

Over the last 24 hours, Ezra couldn't stop thinking about Aria. He almost called her the previous night, but his best friend, Hardy, convinced him to wait. The reason, he didn't want to seem too eager. However she still clouded his mind, and Hardy concluded that they should go out tonight, so Ezra wouldn't obsess over her. They made their way into the Apple-rose Grill, preparing for dinner and a few drinks. After placing their orders, and downing a couple of drinks, Hardy decided to grill his friend about the girl who caught his attention so quickly.

"So, what is it about this girl that has you acting like a love struck teenager?"

"She's smart, she's traveled, has great taste in music, not to mention incredibly beautiful. That's all I know so far, but I have to say I'm impressed."

"I'm just glad you're getting back out there. Ella was hot, but I knew things wouldn't work out. I mean she's what, forty?"

Ezra just chuckled at Hardy's slight exaggeration about Ella's age, but didn't respond, trying to avoid letting slip that Aria was her daughter. After they finished their meals, they paid their bill and prepared to head over to the Hollis Bar and Grill to continue their night. As soon as they left the restaurant, they nearly bumped into a group of girls who were headed inside.

"Aria?"

"Ezra, hey."

Hardy and the girls all stood there, wondering how exactly the two knew each other. Picking up on the awkwardness of their friends looking on, Ezra asked,

"Can we talk alone for a minute?"

Aria nodded, before turning to her friend's and telling them she'd meet them inside, while Ezra asked Hardy to get the car. The four friends, although confused, all agreed, leaving the two to talk.

"I was going to call last night, but my friend told me to wait at least three days," Ezra said after they were alone.

"It's okay," Aria admitted honestly, "but we're here now."

"So, do you have plans tomorrow night?"

"Nope, free as a bird."

"Want to meet here for dinner, say 7:00?"

"Sure, I'd love that."

Both Ezra and Aria had huge smiles on their faces, looking forward to their first date the following night.

"I better go, my friends are waiting for me."

"Yeah, I sure my buddy is already having withdrawals, not having a drink for about ten minutes." Aria laughed at his joke, even if it was kind of lame, and went to open the door. Ezra stopped her, before opening it himself.

"Thanks."

"No problem, can't wait til tomorrow."

"Me neither."

After Aria disappeared into the restaurant, Ezra noticed Hardy pulling up to get him. After he was situated, Hardy asked,

"Was that her?"

"Yep."

"Well, you definitely weren't lying, she's gorgeous."

Ezra just smiled, hoping that tomorrow night would go smoothly.

Aria

Aria made her way over to where her friends were already seated, waiting for her. Once she took a seat, all three girls gave her a questioning look, before Spencer spoke up,

"And who was that?"

"His name's Ezra."

"Wait, isn't that the guy that works at the Slicery?" Hanna asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"No reason, he's just really hot."

"And how do you know him?" Spencer interrogated.

"My mom and I got a pizza for lunch yesterday, and he served me."

"You like him," Hanna said in a mocking tone.

"Yeah, he seems great, and we have a date tomorrow."

"Just be careful, Aria," Spencer said seriously, "He's older and I don't want you to get hurt."

"Just because he's older doesn't mean anything, Noel hurt me anyway."

Spencer immediately regretted what she said, knowing that Noel was still a sore spot for her friend.

"Besides, there's something different about him. He just really seems into me, and I want to see where it goes."

All her friends just smiled, knowing that after the disaster that was Noel Kahn, Aria deserved to be happy, and maybe Ezra could provide that happiness.

Reviews always welcome.