When I accepted a lavish first date, I believed I was prepared for anything. However, I had to make a decision that would put my patience and pride to the test and show me what matters most in a relationship when my match picked the priciest item on the menu and then refused to pay.
I believed that at thirty-two, I would be able to see a train wreck before it happened.
I would like to claim that I saw it coming with Chloe, but I disregarded every early warning because I was so desperate for this evening to go well.
I had been out of the dating scene for some time. Like a flame going out in an empty room, the last committed relationship ended in silence. The months that followed weren’t particularly lonely.
They were simply hushed. My existence consisted of working all day, watching shows I had already seen in the evenings, and friends contacting me less and less because everyone was either married, busy, or both.
I want to say that I anticipated it with Chloe.
It was my sister Erin who ultimately encouraged me to give it another go. “Evan, you’re too good to be sitting at home. Bro, get back out there. You know, it’s not the end of the world.”
On a wet Thursday, she forced me to download dating apps, and we sat at my kitchen counter, joking and swiping until my stomach ached.Whoa. “Ev, these women are really self-assured.”And you want me to have a conversation with someone?” partly scared, partly amused, I asked.Bro, get back out there. You know, it’s not the end of the world.”
Chloe immediately stood out when we matched.
She was attractive, self-assured, and fast to respond with something funnier than what I had sent. She made fun of my profile photo, which showed me clutching a fish and appearing far too serious for a Saturday morning.
She sent a message:
“”Midlife crisis or big catch?”
“Can’t it be both?” was my response.
That was the end of it.
Chloe immediately stood out when we matched.
After exchanging ideas for a few days, Chloe proposed supper.Let’s take a somewhat different approach. Life is brief, so we should make the most of it.
I recall hesitating before responding. On previous dates, “a little special” would either morph into a game of chicken with the bill or they would disappear to the restroom and never come back.
But I wanted to be honest this time.
I had to make certain that my time and effort would not be squandered.
After exchanging ideas for a few days, Chloe proposed supper.
“Hey, just so we’re clear, I usually split the bill on a first date,” I texted Chloe. makes things simpler and ensures that we are in agreement.”
In less than a minute, she said, “That’s fair! No worries at all.”
It felt at ease.”All right, Evan,” I said to myself. “Maybe we’ve found a good one.”
The location, a modern seafood restaurant downtown, was chosen by Chloe. It had soft jazz and dim lighting, and it was the type of place where prices are hidden on the menu unless you squint.That’s reasonable! No concerns at all.
I rehearsed small conversation in my bathroom that night while ironing a blouse I hadn’t worn since Christmas. “You’re just going to meet someone, not audition for ‘The Bachelor.’” I told myself.
I arrived first. The hostess grinned. “Table for two, sir?”
“Yes, please. Evan is in charge of the reservation.
I arrived early, sat down at the bar, and pretended to look over the wine selection. I looked over each time the door opened, half expecting Chloe.”Sir, a table for two?”
I looked at the bartender. “Waiting for someone, brother?”
I gave a nod. “First date.”
He smiled. “And you met online?”
“Is it really that clear?He laughed and wiped a glass, saying, “Only because you keep checking your phone every 30 seconds.”
“Evan?” a voice called out before I could respond.”Brother, are you waiting for someone?”
I spun around, and there she was: beautiful long hair, red dress, and a smile wide and bright. The entire room seemed to notice her right away.
I nearly toppled my stool when I stood up. “Hi, Chloe. “Are you okay with the location?””It wasn’t difficult,” she remarked, glancing around the eatery. “Wow, this place is gorgeous.”
I shrugged as my nerves began to fidget. “You deserve credit. You made the decision.
As the hostess came closer, she giggled and put her arm in mine. “That is accurate. I do have a talent for pleasant locations.Hello, Chloe. You discovered the location, all right?
Chloe’s heels clicked confidently as we followed the hostess between tables. She took the first seat at our table and looked around as if she was learning every detail by heart.Nice location, huh? Lobster is available! I love lobster. She taunted, “I hope you’re not allergic, Evan.””No allergies,” I answered. “But I do get mild menu anxiety.”
She smiled. “Trust me, you’ll love it here.”
A waiter showed up. Her nametag said Maya. She gave us menus. Chloe hardly looked at hers.Chloe declared, “I know what I want. “I’ll have the lobster. Please, with the butter sauce. Extra on the side as well.”Lobster is available! I love lobster.
Maya scribbled it down while nodding. “A great decision. “And you, sir?”I said, “Uh, the salmon, please.” “And water’s fine.”
Chloe folded her hands and leaned back. “So, this is your first Tinder date?”
“Not my first, but it’s my first in a while,” I admitted. “What about you?”
She shrugged. “A couple. But most guys are too nervous. Or too cheap.” She grinned. However, you appear at ease. That appeals to me.
I chuckled uneasily. “I’m making every effort. Earlier, I was practicing small conversation.Most men are excessively anxious. Or too cheap.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Is that correct? So, impress me.”Okay… I can touch my nose with my tongue.”
Chloe burst out laughing. “That’s terrible, Evan.”
“Perhaps, but it did break the ice.
Still grinning, she shook her head. “Alright, you get points for effort.”
She took out her phone as our drinks arrived. “I hope it’s okay with you. I’m chronicling my culinary adventures.”Is that correct? So, impress me.”Go for it. Never has my plate looked better.
She first took a picture of one of us. “Grin. My buddies will insist on evidence of your existence.
I smiled. “Tell them I survived the first round.”
Chloe gave a wink. “Oh, it’s early yet.”
The room was alive with talk as we clinked glasses, as if we had done this a hundred times.
I briefly considered the possibility that I had misjudged her. Perhaps Chloe was simply audacious rather than entitled.My buddies will insist on evidence of your existence.
We finished eating, and I was almost relaxed by the time Maya cleared the plates.
Then the check arrived, placed in the middle of the table. Chloe did not reach for it.
I glanced at her, then at the bill. Her lobster alone was $150. Add in wine, dessert, and sides, her share was well over half.
I pulled out my card. “Alright. We’ll just split it like we said, right?”
Chloe leaned back, smiling like she was in on a joke I had missed. “I’m not paying.”
I half expected her to chuckle as I gazed. “What?”
Her lobster alone was $150.
She gave a shrug. “The man is you. Don’t men pay? I’ve always done it that way.
It was burning in my ears. “But… you agreed to split.”
She grabbed up her phone and idly browsed. Yes, but I didn’t expect you would genuinely mean it. Men never do.
There was a moment of quiet between us.
I was reminded of being made to feel insignificant, as if my emotions were unimportant, and as though I should apologize for demanding justice.The man is you. Do men not pay?
However, I forced myself not to give up and maintained an even tone.I whispered, “I meant it.”
With a half-smile on her lips, Chloe rolled her eyes. “You’re really going to embarrass yourself over dinner, Evan? In front of all these people?”
“Why should I be embarrassed for wanting what we agreed on?”
She gave a light, almost pitying laugh. “Goodness, you’re stubborn.”
Chloe rolled her eyes.
I set my fork down. “We agreed to split.”
She looked past me, like searching for an exit, but found none.
“Well… maybe I changed my mind.”
Maya approached again, a stack of plates balanced in one hand. She seemed to sense the tension simmering.
“Is everything alright over here?”
Chloe gave her a brief smile. “We’re alright. There was only a small misunderstanding over the bill.Is everything alright over here?”
I looked Maya in the eye. “We decided to divide the check. Now she’s saying she won’t.”
Chloe huffed, turning toward Maya. “Honestly, he’s making a big deal out of nothing. Dates are paid for by men. It’s simply that way.”
Maya stopped and continued to stare at Chloe. “Actually, I think I remember you. Weren’t you here two weeks ago? “Different guy, same table?”
Chloe tensed up. “What? No. That wasn’t me.” She lowered her voice.”Different guy, same table?”
But Maya did not bat an eyelid. “You ordered the lobster, right? And there was a pretty similar conversation about the bill. That night, your date paid his half and left. You didn’t.”
The table around us went quiet. I could feel people listening now, watching.
I watched Chloe’s bravado falter. “Maybe you’re mistaken.”
Maya gave a headshake. “I’m not. I can recall faces. “Give me a moment,” she said after pausing. I’ll speak with my management.”
Chloe stood up upright. “That’s not necessary.”
“Perhaps you’re not correct.
Maya’s voice remained composed. “Yes, it is. And we can verify it with video footage.
A little later, a man in a black shirt came over. “Good evening,” he replied, looking between us.
Maya spoke softly. “She’s been here before. same circumstance.
After giving a nod, the manager turned to face Chloe. “Ma’am, you must pay your share tonight. Additionally, there is an unpaid debt from your prior visit.”
Chloe’s face was exhausted. “That’s ridiculous.”
He remained silent. “You’re welcome to dispute it, but it will need to be handled before you leave.”
“She had previously visited this location.”
I felt a wave of relief. “Please allow me to pay on an individual basis. Maya, I also want to leave you a tip.”
Chloe chuckled tightly. “You’re seriously doing this right now?”
Nobody responded to her.
Maya’s voice was soft but steady. “I just want to make sure everyone’s treated fairly. I’ll be back with the checks.”
Chloe started rummaging in her purse. “You could’ve just covered it, Evan. Seriously, this is so awkward now.”
I gave a headshake. “It’s not the money, Chloe. It’s the lie.”
She stopped talking and looked at her phone as if she wanted to disappear.This didn’t need to be a big deal. You two.”
I handed my card over when Maya came back. With a stiff jaw, Chloe handed hers over.”I apologize,” Maya answered politely. “But that card’s been declined.”
The manager stayed at her side. “You’ll need to provide another form of payment.”
Chloe’s face turned white. While searching for another, she muttered, “It’s just a bank thing.”
She tried again, her hands trembling. It was successful this time, but the harm was already done.
She grabbed her purse, fumbling now, her confidence completely gone. She attempted another card without looking at me.The card has been rejected.
After observing her, I met Maya’s gaze.
She gave me a quiet nod, a small, honest kindness I did not realize I needed. “Don’t let this put you off dating, okay?”
I smiled. “Thank you. For everything.
At that point, the manager spoke. “Observe, ma’am. You can work as our dishwasher for the next two weeks if you are unable to pay your bill. But take note—your lovely nails will be damaged.”
Chloe gave a gasp.
The city lights gleamed on damp pavement, and the air was chilly outside. I started driving in the direction of Erin’s flat rather than straight home. On the second ring, she answered.Please don’t let this discourage you from dating.”Hey, are you busy?” I inquired.You sound strange. Was the date really that awful?Not too awful. Just a tale. Would it be okay if I came up?
Her tone became softer. “Obviously not! I also have some ice cream.
After ten minutes, Erin was searching in her freezer while I sat on a kitchen stool.”So, spill,” she replied, pushing a bottle of chocolate sauce and a pint toward me. “Did she look like her pictures, or was this a catfish situation?”
“”Hello, are you busy?”Yes, she did. I actually thought it might be a good night at first.”
Erin gave me a bowl filled with sliced strawberries and chocolate.You phrase that as though a “but” the size of Texas is on the horizon.”
I told her about the date with a smile.
Erin squinted. “You didn’t pay for her, did you?”
“No, not at all.I felt both relief and cold as I took a bite of ice cream. However, she was called out by the waitress. It seems like Chloe constantly performs this prank.You didn’t pay for her, did you?Really, wait? Is she a serial lobster thief?
I gave a snort. “That kind of thing. Her card even declined. I’ve never been so grateful for an awkward silence.”
Erin nudged my arm after shaking her head. “I’m proud of you, Ev. You finally learned how to fix yourself first.”
I grinned. “It’s peculiar. I feel respected for the first time in a long time. At least by me.
She gave me a spoon clink. “That is all that is important. Finish your sundae now.
The kind of chuckle that rests in your chest and lightens the load of the world was shared by both of us.
Knowing that respect, especially my own, is never too much to ask, I felt lighter when I left Erin’s that evening.
