Planning and reservation fee
$35.00
Total
$249.00
I blinked.
Then I read the message underneath.
“Since you expressed interest in continuing our connection, I think it’s reasonable for both parties to contribute equally. Please send $124.50 before our second date.”
For several seconds, I simply sat on my bed.
Then I laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
This was the same man who had practically pushed my wallet away the night before.
The same man who had insisted that paying was a matter of principle.
And now he was billing me for half the evening.
Including a planning fee.
I typed:
“Daniel, is this a joke?”
His response arrived almost immediately.
“Why would it be a joke?”
I stared at the phone.
“Because you insisted on paying. I offered to split the check.”
“Yes,” he replied. “And I appreciated your willingness. But I prefer to handle these things afterward.”
“Why?”
“Because discussing money at the restaurant ruins the romantic atmosphere.”
I couldn’t believe it.
He hadn’t wanted to discuss money during dinner.
But apparently sending an invoice afterward was perfectly romantic.
The Detail That Made Everything Worse
I was still trying to decide whether to laugh or cry when another message arrived.
“Also, the roses were a premium arrangement. I hope you appreciated the quality.”
I looked toward the flowers sitting on my kitchen counter.
They were beautiful.
But suddenly, they didn’t feel like a gift anymore.
They felt like merchandise.
I called Melissa.
She answered on the second ring.
“Well? Did Prince Charming text you?”
“Oh, he texted me.”
Something in my voice made her pause.
“What happened?”
“He sent me an invoice.”
Silence.
Then she burst out laughing.
“An invoice for what?”
“For the date.”
“What?”
I sent her a screenshot.
Three seconds later, my phone rang again.
“REBECCA!”
“I know.”
“HE CHARGED YOU A PLANNING FEE?”
“I know!”
“THIRTY-FIVE DOLLARS?”
“Apparently making a reservation is a professional service now.”
Melissa was laughing so hard she could barely speak.
Then she suddenly became serious.
“Wait. This is weird. Daniel told me he was the kind of man who always treats a woman on the first date.”
“Well, apparently he treats her and sends the bill later.”
Melissa went quiet.
“That’s not what he told me.”
Something about her tone made me uncomfortable.
“What do you mean?”
“He told me he’d been disappointed by women who expected him to pay for everything. But he said he’d changed his approach.”
