Chloe stiffened. “What? No. That wasn’t me.” Her voice dropped.
“Same table, different guy?”
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 shook her head. “I’m not. I remember faces.” She paused, then added, “Give me a moment. I’m going to get my manager.”
Chloe straightened. “That’s not necessary.”
“Maybe you’re mistaken.”
Maya’s tone stayed calm. “It is. And we have camera footage to prove it.”
A man in a black shirt stepped over a moment later. “Good evening,” he said, glancing between us.
Maya spoke quietly. “She’s been here before. Same situation.”
The manager nodded, then looked at Chloe. “Ma’am, we’ll need you to settle your portion tonight. And there is also an outstanding balance from your previous visit.”
Chloe’s face drained. “That’s ridiculous.”
He didn’t react. “You’re welcome to dispute it, but it will need to be handled before you leave.”
“She’s been here before.”
Relief washed through me. “I’d like to pay individually, please. And I’d like to leave a tip for you, Maya.”
Chloe let out a tight laugh. “You’re seriously doing this right now?”
No one answered 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 shook my head. “It’s not the money, Chloe. It’s the lie.”
She fell silent, staring at her phone like she wanted to vanish.
“You didn’t have to make this a scene. Both of you.”
When Maya returned, I slid my card over. Chloe handed hers over, her jaw tight.
“I’m sorry,” Maya said, not unkindly. “But that card’s been declined.”
The manager remained beside her. “You’ll need to provide another form of payment.”
Chloe’s face went pale. She dug for another, muttering, “It’s just a bank thing.”
Her hands shook as she tried again. This time it worked, but the damage was done.
She grabbed her purse, fumbling now, her confidence completely gone. She didn’t look at me as she tried another card.
“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?”
“Yeah, she did. I actually thought it might be a good night at first.”
Erin handed me a bowl, loaded with chocolate and chopped strawberries.
“You say that like there’s a ‘but’ the size of Texas coming.”
I grinned and told her about the date.
Erin’s eyes narrowed. “You didn’t pay for her, did you?”
“Nope.” I took a spoonful of ice cream, feeling the chill and relief at the same time. “But the waitress called her out. Apparently, Chloe pulls this stunt all the time.”
“You didn’t pay for her, did you?”
“Wait, really? She’s a serial lobster grifter?”
I snorted. “Something like that. Her card even declined. I’ve never been so grateful for an awkward silence.”
Erin shook her head, then nudged my arm. “I’m proud of you, Ev. You finally learned how to fix yourself first.”
I smiled. “It’s weird. For the first time in a long time, I feel… respected. By me, at least.”
She clinked her spoon to mine. “That’s all that matters. Now finish your sundae.”
We both laughed, the kind that settles in your chest and makes the world a little less heavy.
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