My Date Ordered a $150 Lobster Dinner on Our First Date and Then Refused to Pay – Moments Later, Karma Struck Her Right There in Front of Me

“That card’s been declined.”

I watched her, then caught Maya’s eye.

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 grinned. “Thanks. For everything.”

The manager spoke then. “Look, ma’am. If you can’t pay your bill, you can work as our dishwasher for the next two weeks. But be warned, those pretty nails of yours will be ruined.”

Chloe gasped.

***

Outside, the air was cold, and the city lights shimmered on wet pavement. Instead of heading straight home, I found myself steering toward Erin’s apartment. She picked up on the second ring.

“Don’t let this put you off dating, okay?”

“Hey, you busy?” I asked.

“You sound weird. The date was that bad?”

“Not bad. Just… a story. Mind if I come up?”

Her voice softened. “Of course not! And I have ice cream.”

***

Ten minutes later, I was perched on a kitchen stool while Erin rummaged in her freezer.

“So, spill,” she said, shoving a pint and a bottle of chocolate sauce in my direction. “Did she look like her pictures, or was this a catfish situation?”

“Hey, you busy?”