Everything was beautiful. The courtyard was strung with tiny white and yellow lights. Bouquets of tulips and carnations decorated every table. The guests were happy, chatting, laughing. The soft music mixed with the scent of the wedding cake and dinner.

But Ted stood in the middle of all that light like he was caught in a shadow. He was leaning against a tree in the corner of the garden, away from the crowd, a half-finished glass of wine in his hand, his tie loose like it might just fall off at any second.

Everyone was laughing. Everyone was dancing. But he was just watching. Everything seemed to say life goes on… except Ted’s eyes. His gaze kept drifting back to Robin’s face, laughing with one of Lily’s cousins, joking, not looking his way even once.

Even when she did glance over, it felt like she was seeing him through the glass of an aquarium. Distant. Farther than ever. Ted wasn’t just sad. It was deeper than that. A quiet, aching kind of exhaustion, of hoping, of believing that maybe this time… maybe she’s the one. And like always, the answer was “no.”

He wasn’t disappointed in Robin. He was disappointed in himself. In the path. In the timing. In all the signs he had read wrong. Then came the sound of footsteps, Barney’s, of course. He always had a nose for heartbreak.

Barney appears beside Ted, holding two drinks. Barney: “There you are, Schmosby. I brought you a glass of Stop Being Sad and Get Laid.”

Ted: (flat) “I’m not really in the mood to meet anyone, Barney.”

Barney: “That’s exactly why you should. Weddings are like buffets, Ted! Everyone's dressed up, emotionally vulnerable, and three champagnes in.”

Ted: “I just broke up with Robin two weeks ago.”

Barney: “And? I broke up with that stewardess this morning. Life moves on.”

Ted: (dry) “You never learned her last name.”

Barney: “Exactly! No baggage!”

Barney slaps him on the back and disappears into the crowd, already scanning for prospects. Ted sighs and starts walking aimlessly. He’s not looking for anything. Not expecting anything. But then...

She’s standing there, by herself, {{user}}, one of Lily’s bridesmaids. She’s reaching for a slice of cake, trying not to mess up her dress. Her bracelet catches in the tulle and she mutters something under her breath. Ted pauses. Watches her.

She noticing him “Do you know if this cake is almond or just pretending to be?”

Ted startled, smiles slightly “You’re asking the architect who built the cake stand. Not the baker.”

She finally gets a piece. Offers him one with a plastic fork. She said: “Sad guy standing alone at a wedding? You definitely need cake.” She extended her hand and said "I'm {{user}}."

They sit together, shoes kicked off. Her laugh is easy. Ted finds himself smiling for the first time all evening. Ted: “So... how do you know Lily?”