Page 14 of Her Inconvenient Wedding Date

“Let’s see what they think of you first before we let my dad near your mouth with a scaler.”

I gulp. Lily’s expression and tone are both so somber, my palms start to sweat. I’m already a scaredy cat when it comes to seeing the dentist; I certainly don’t need to get on the bad side of one. I can feel the tips of my ears growing hot, something they do when I’m embarrassed or nervous or feeling any kind of strong emotion. They unfortunately act like antennas, sending out an SOS signal for all the world to see.

Lily’s radar must pick up on my mood because she rushes on to say, “Hunter, I’m joking. My dad’s the calm one in the family. If there’s anyone you need to be worried about, it’s my mom, but she thankfully doesn’t have access to the dental equipment.” She pauses to study me for a moment, her lips pursed. “Did you know your ears light up?”

“Light up? I know they turn red, but I didn’t think there was any electricity involved.”

She laughs. “That’s what I meant. It’s kind of impressive how your face stays the same color, but your ears don’t. If you were wearing a hat or earmuffs, no one would ever guess you were scared.”

I scoff. “Who said I’m scared? I am not scared of dentists, the dark, or pretty girls, obviously,” I add with a nod in her direction. Her brows furrow like she doesn’t understand what I’m referring to. “They’re lyrics. From the song ‘Riptide’ by Vance Joy.”

“Ohhh! No wonder that sounded familiar.”

She proceeds to sing the first few lines of the song, and I jump in and harmonize with her. The two of us exchange big smiles by the time we reach the end of the first verse.

“Wow!” She gives me an enthusiastic high five. “We don’t sound too bad together.”

“Too bad? Try amazing and awesome. I’m so glad you’re musical.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m Asian. Most Asianseither know how to play the piano or violin or according to my mom, both if you’re blessed enough. Guess who was doubly blessed?” she adds as she points to herself. “I always wanted to learn the drums, but my mom didn’t approve. Maybe someday I’ll find the time to take lessons.”

My entire body relaxes. Any fear or worry I’d had has completely disappeared. This conversation is music to my ears—literally and figuratively. The more I learn about Lily, the more excited I am to be a part of her life. “It’s your lucky day because I happen to know how to play the drums. I’ll teach you.”

“No way! I’d love that.” Her eyes linger on my face as she sighs. The sound is like one you’d expect from a hungry man staring at a piece of steak that’s not his—full of yearning and regret. She blinks, then shifts her gaze to the restaurant entrance. “Come on. It’s time to go inside and face the music, no matter what treble lies ahead of us.”

“Did you just make a music pun?”

“Yeah, it’s something I do when I’m stressed. Just ignore me.”

“Why would I do that?” I walk ahead of her and open the door. “I love puns.”

She glances at me over her shoulder with that look of longing again. “Of course you do.”

Her remark confuses me, but there’s no time to ask for clarification because we are soon surrounded by dozens of middle-aged Chinese women. A petite one with the same oval face shape and dark brown eyes as Lily approaches me first. As she examines me, her brows furrow in the familiar way that Lily’s does whenever I interrupt her at work. She points a finger at me, then glances at Lily with a disapproving shake of her head.

“What month is it?” she asks Lily.

“What month is it?” Lily repeats, looking confused. “It’s October.”

“Then why are you playing an April Fool’s joke on me?” Mama Lam clutches her chest dramatically as if she’s about to faint. “Why did you bring him instead of your fiancé?”

“Ma, thisismy fiancé. This is Hunter.”

“Wah!” the group of aunties exclaim in unison before they receive a death glare from their ringleader, Mrs. Lam. One by one, they quiet down and become a captive audience again.

“Ma,” Lily pleads, “please give Hunter a chance. He’s a wonderful man. You just need to get to know him.”

My chest puffs out in response to Lily’s compliment, but just as quickly, it deflates with one wary glance from her mom. It’s impressive how much power this petite woman wields with her eyebrows. Even though I tower over her by more than a foot, she has me frozen in fear.

But I can’t give in. There’s a lot on the line, not just with pulling off this ruse with Lily, but also my potential future with her. It’s time to step up my game, regardless of whether the playing field is even. My fight or flight response kicks in, and I extend my hands. With a deep bow, I present my gift to Mama Lam and greet her with a hearty, “Ah yi, nin hao!”

A collective gasp goes up around us, not only from the aunties but from Lily, too. She stares at me in shock like she can’t believe I just said hello to her mom in Mandarin. More than that, I called herauntieto emphasize her youthfulnessandalso used the formal version ofyouto show respect.

What can I say, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Okay, it’s literally one trick, but it’s a good one, I think.

Mama Lam tilts her chin up and down, giving me a thorough onceover. Her expression remains stoic. She must be a master at playing poker, or probably more likely, at mahjong. The only thing I can spot on her face is skepticism,and a lot of it. She clears her throat and takes the gift from my hands, then attempts to peek inside the bag out of the corner of her eye. Not even two seconds pass before her dark brown eyes light up and she turns into a child on Christmas morning.

“Wah!” she exclaims as she pulls out a large container of dried abalone and sea cucumber. The aunties crowd around her, pressing in from all sides to get a closer look. One would thinkshewas Gollum holding a precious ring in her hands. Mama Lam nods and offers me a look full of curiosity. “How did you get this? It’s been sold out every time I try to buy it.”

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