When Aaron showed up looking like a dream and ended the night with a red rose, I thought I’d met my Prince Charming. But when he explained why he gave it to me, I blocked his number and walked away.
We matched on a dating app, and Aaron’s profile immediately stood out. He was stunning, with a sharp style and a love for books, coffee, and bad puns. Our conversations were thoughtful, unlike the usual small talk. He remembered details and seemed genuinely interested, making me smile at every exchange.
After a week of texting, Aaron invited me to an upscale Italian restaurant. It was charming, and when we met, he looked even better in person. The date was effortless, with no awkward pauses, just easy conversation. Aaron asked deep questions, and we laughed together over board game confessions.
Then, dessert arrived. Aaron pulled out a single red rose. “This is for you,” he said, his eyes soft. But his next words took the romance out of the moment: “I give roses to women I date to see who makes it to the next round. It’s like The Bachelor.”
I stared, stunned. He was serious. Dating had turned into a game show, and I was an unpaid contestant. When he excused himself, I paid the bill for both of us, grabbed the rose, and left.
In the car, I saw his message: “You earned the next rose.” I laughed, blocked his number, and drove away, realizing sometimes the win isn’t finding the right person—it’s walking away from the wrong one.