New York. Hudson Riverfront. Vance-Mutt Hotel.
Matthew and Lily's wedding was going down right here.
"What the heck?!"
As Adam and the crew stepped inside, the first thing they saw in the lobby was a very pregnant woman—super close to popping—sitting by a harp, looking like she was trying way too hard to act like everything was fine.
Being doctors, Adam and Juno zipped over to check on her.
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" the woman said, cradling her huge belly and taking some quick breaths. She flashed a grin. "I've got this!" 😅
"When's your due date?" Adam asked.
"Tuesday," she said, still smiling.
"That's, like, right now. Why are you still here playing the harp?!" Adam blinked, confused.
"Oh, I mean last Tuesday," she clarified with a laugh. "Lily's dad and my dad are best buds, so I couldn't miss her wedding. I'm tougher than I look… oof, whew!"
"…"
Everyone just stared, speechless.
"You should head to the hospital," Juno urged. "Weddings take forever—you're not gonna make it through."
"But Lily already paid me…" the woman hesitated.
"No worries," Adam said, forcing a smile. "I'll sort it out. We'll just say you played. Done deal."
Seriously?!
This lady was risking it all for a paycheck. Talk about screwing over Lily! Imagine the wedding halfway through, and the harpist goes into labor right there. Talk about a "blessed early arrival"—way more dramatic than tossing some peanuts or lotus seeds for good luck! 😂
Even with that, people still say it's all about merit in the U.S., not connections? Please. Connections were smacking them in the face. This wedding wasn't safe from them either!
"Alright then," the woman said, finally giving in with a grin. "Honestly, I'd probably only last half the gig anyway. Plus, with all this happy energy, I might just pop today!"
"Congrats!" Adam said, his smile twitching a little. He waved over a waiter to carefully escort the about-to-burst harpist out.
Then he pulled out his phone to call his assistant, Ada, to find a replacement harpist.
"Forget the harp," Juno cut in. "Lily told me she originally wanted a guitarist, but her dad owed this woman's dad a favor, so they went with her instead."
"Favors, huh?" Adam shook his head.
In the U.S., everything's a transaction. Back when Monica was catering, her mom threw a party and hired her—paid her full price, no discounts. Lily's dad, though? He went all out to repay this favor. No wonder Lily didn't tell him when she caught her mom with that pro athlete.
"I can play," Karen piped up.
"I know," Adam said, already dialing Ada. He grinned at Karen. "You can play, Juno can play, I can play—but we're guests here. We can't just sit there strumming all night. Don't you wanna dance with Juno?"
"Let him handle it," Juno said, playfully tugging Karen's hand.
Adam briefed Ada. Even with the triple-urgent request, she agreed like it was no big deal. Why? She'd handled way too many of Adam's last-minute fixes. Practice makes perfect!
With the most eye-popping issue sorted, they headed toward the bride and groom's dressing rooms—two separate ones, of course. Juno and the girls went into the bride's, and Adam was about to walk off when he spotted a shady-looking guy sneaking in after them. He bolted right back in.
"Hey, Lily!" the guy said, puffing out his chest like he owned the place.
"Scooter? What are you doing here?" Lily asked, her face dropping mid-hug with Juno and the girls.
"It's not Scooter anymore," he said, strutting forward with a swagger that screamed "I don't care who's watching." He got close to Lily. "It's Bill now. A lot's changed, but one thing never will—I still love you. I'm here to win you back."
"Ha! You're kidding, right?" Lily couldn't help but laugh.
Eight years since high school graduation, eight years since they broke up, zero contact—and now her ex pulls this? It was hilarious… until she saw he wasn't laughing. Then her smile faded.
She did not need this soap opera nonsense on her big day with Matthew. Sure, Matthew wouldn't doubt her, but he was a jealousy volcano. If he found out Scooter—sorry, "Bill"—was pulling this stunt, it'd ruin his mood for sure.
"Lily, I know it's wild, but I love you," Scooter went on, oblivious to her panic. He struck a dramatic pose, reciting like it was poetry night. "If you can look me in the eyes and tell me you want to marry Matthew, I'll walk out right now and never step into your life again!"
He waved his arms for emphasis.
"I want—" Lily started, practically jumping at the chance.
But then Scooter's neck twisted like a snake—whoosh!
"I want—" Lily tried again, desperate to lock eyes and shut him down for good.
No dice. Scooter was pulling some next-level snake-move dodges, weaving his head like a pro. Swerve! Twist! No eye contact for her!
Adam couldn't take it anymore. He stepped up, grabbed Scooter's head, and held it still. No more slithering away!
"Let me go!" Scooter squirmed, trying to break free.
Yeah, right. His strength was no match for Adam.
"Go ahead, Lily," Adam said with a grin, pinning Scooter in place.
"Sweet!" Lily beamed.
But even then, Scooter wouldn't quit. "Oh, you've got my head? Fine—my eyes can still move!" Cue the wild cross-eyed routine, darting every which way. Lily didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Say it quick, or I'm tossing him out," Adam said, chuckling at Scooter's ridiculous eye antics.
"Scooter, I want to marry Matthew. Only Matthew," Lily said firmly. "Can you stop? Our families are cool with each other—I don't want this getting messy."
"What? Didn't hear you," Scooter said, playing dumb like his life depended on it.
"Alright, that's it," Adam said, hoisting Scooter up and heading for the door. "I heard her. That's enough."
"I heard Barney say Scooter's here!" one of Matthew's law school buddies—and a groomsman—rushed in. "I'll take care of it!"
Groomsmen are there to handle wedding chaos, and chasing off an ex? Top priority. This was supposed to be Barney's job, but—shocker—he'd ditched it to flirt with some guests, leaving Scooter to waltz right in.
"Nah, I've got this," Adam said, still holding Scooter. He eyed the slightly unreliable groomsman. "You go check on Matthew—see if he needs anything."
"Got it!" The groomsman, a Columbia Law alum like Adam, shot Scooter a glare and marched off.
"Keep an eye on him—don't let him back in," Adam said to the waiter at the door, still gripping Scooter. "Bride's orders."
"Yes, sir!" the waiter replied instantly.
He didn't care what the bride said—Adam's generous tip from earlier had already won him over. 😎
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(Chapter End)