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 flashed her a quick smile. “We’re fine. It’s just a little miscommunication about the bill.”
“Goodness, you’re stubborn.”
I met Maya’s gaze. “We agreed to split the check. Now she’s saying she won’t.”
Chloe huffed, turning toward Maya. “Honestly, he’s making a big deal out of nothing. Men pay for dates. That’s just how it is.”
Maya paused, looking at Chloe a moment longer. “Actually,” she said, her tone gentle but firm, “I think I remember you. Weren’t you here two weeks ago? Same table, different guy?”
Chloe stiffened. “What? No. That wasn’t me.” Her voice dropped.
But Maya did not bat an eyelid. “You ordered the lobster, right? And there was a pretty similar conversation about the bill, too.”
“Weren’t you here two weeks ago? Same table, different guy?”
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. And tonight, we can split the check, no problem. Would you like it even, or just for your individual meals?”
Relief washed through me. “Individual, please. And I’d like to leave a tip for you.”
Chloe forced a laugh, trying to play it cool. “You didn’t have to make this a scene. Both of you.”
Maya’s voice was soft but steady. “I just want to make sure everyone’s treated fairly. I’ll be back with the checks.”
“You didn’t have to make this a scene. Both of you.”
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. When Maya returned, I slid my card over. Chloe handed hers over, her jaw tight.
Then Maya came back.
“I’m sorry,” she said, not unkindly. “But your card’s been declined.”
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.
“But your card’s been declined.”
She grabbed her purse, muttering something I could not hear, and stood. I watched her leave, then caught Maya’s eye. She gave me a quiet nod, a small, honest kindness I did not realize I needed.
She smiled. “Don’t let this put you off dating, okay?”
I grinned. “Thanks. For everything
