My date smiled and pushed the bill toward me.

“He’s paying.”

The waiter looked at me.

I shook my head.

“Separate checks, please. We agreed before the date.”

Her expression changed instantly.

“You’re seriously doing this?”

“Yes.”

The waiter separated the bill without argument. My portion was reasonable. Hers included the lobster, two cocktails, an appetizer, and dessert.

She stared at the total.

“I didn’t bring enough money.”

That was when karma arrived.

The restaurant manager walked over.

Apparently, she had been there before.

More than once.

And according to him, she had already caused problems by ordering expensive meals, expecting dates to pay, then becoming argumentative when they refused.

Her face went bright red.

The manager remained polite.

“You’ll need to settle your portion before leaving.”

She tried three cards.

The first declined.

So did the second.

The third finally worked, but only after she called someone and transferred money into the account.

By then, everyone nearby knew exactly what was happening.

I paid my bill, tipped the waiter, and stood.

She glared at me.

“You’re really leaving me here?”

“Our dinner is finished.”

That was our first and last date.

The lobster never bothered me.

What bothered me was agreeing to one thing and expecting someone else to pay when the bill arrived.

She thought ordering the most expensive meal meant I had no choice.

The separate check proved otherwise.