I agreed to go on a first date with a girl I’d met online. She insisted we try this upscale restaurant she’d “always wanted to be taken to,” even though it was way beyond what I’d normally choose. Trying to make a good impression, I said yes. The moment we sat down, she immediately ordered a $25 appetizer, a $45 steak, and a $15 cocktail—without even asking if I was okay with it. Meanwhile, I stuck with just a burger and water.

Throughout the date, she barely looked at me. Her phone became her real date—ringing nonstop with calls and buzzing with messages she eagerly replied to. She didn’t ask me a single question about myself. Instead, she laughed loudly at texts from “the girls,” rolled her eyes when I tried to talk, and kept saying, “Hold on, let me reply real quick.” At that point, I realized I was just a free dinner.

Our waitress, a kind young woman named Laura, noticed everything. When my date went to the restroom—phone still in hand, of course—Laura carefully approached me and whispered, “If you want, I can split the bill and bring yours separately.” I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding and nodded gratefully.

When my date returned, the bills arrived—two separate checks. She froze. “Why is this split?” she asked, looking annoyed. I smiled politely and said, “I figured we’d each pay for what we ordered.” Her expression turned from shocked to offended. She mumbled something about needing to “grab her wallet from the car” and walked out… never to return.

She didn’t come back. The waitress and I shared a knowing glance. I paid for my meal, tipped Laura generously, and left feeling oddly relieved. As I stepped outside, I noticed the girl had already posted a story captioned: “Men are so cheap.” I just laughed and kept walking.