My partner insisted on paying the bill – I regret letting him do that

My partner insisted on paying the bill – I regret letting him do that

When Eric demanded payment for our first date, I thought I’d met a true aristocrat. Roses, a sweet gift, interesting conversation—he examined every box. When he texted me the next day, I expected a pleasant follow-up, but when I read his message, my stomach dropped.

My best friend, Mia, had good intentions when she agreed to set me up on a date, but her skills as a matchmaker remained completely untested.

“He’s super nice, Kelly! A true gentleman. You’ll love him,” Mia insisted over the phone as I rummaged through my closet.

“You’ve never asked me out before,” I reminded her. “What made you think you knew my type?”

“Because I know you better than anyone,” she replied cheerfully. “Besides, Chris vouches for him too. They’ve been friends for years.”

This got me thinking. Chris, Mia’s boyfriend, was a pretty good judge of character. If he considered this Eric honorable, maybe there was hope.

“Okay,” I sighed. “At least show me a picture.”

A moment later, an incoming message appeared on my phone.

The guy in the photo wasn’t ugly: he was neat, well-dressed, and had a warm smile that caught the eye.

“Okay, he’s cute,” I admitted.

“I told you!” Mia informed him. “Text him and make an appointment. You won’t regret it, I promise.”