When Eric insisted on paying for our first date, I thought I’d met a true gentleman. Flowers, a thoughtful gift, and charming conversation — he seemed perfect. So when I got a message from him the next day, I expected a sweet follow-up. Instead, my stomach dropped.
It all started when my best friend Mia, eager to play matchmaker, set me up with Eric. “Total gentleman,” she promised. Chris, her boyfriend and a good judge of character, also vouched for him.
Eric looked great in his photo — clean-cut and smiling warmly. After a few texts, we made dinner plans at a cozy Italian spot. He showed up with a gorgeous bouquet and a small gift: a silver keychain engraved with a “K.” Polite, attentive, and engaging, Eric was ticking every box.
When the check came, he refused to let me pay. “A man pays on the first date,” he said firmly. I didn’t argue. The date had gone so well that I left feeling genuinely excited.
The next morning, I got a text — not a cute message, but a professionally formatted invoice. It listed “charges” for the flowers, gift, and dinner — to be “paid” in hugs, selfies, compliments, and a second date.
At first, I thought it was a joke. Then I saw the final line:
“Payment is expected in full. No refunds. Failure to comply may result in collections (Chris will hear about it).”
Shocked, I sent it to Mia, who immediately showed it to Chris. Minutes later, he called me, howling with laughter. “Eric’s always been intense, but this? Wow.”
Chris, king of petty, whipped up a revenge invoice of his own — charging Eric for the “service” of dating me and sparing him public humiliation. We sent it.
Eric’s reply? Furious texts: “Wow, really mature.” / “You missed out on a GREAT guy.”
I blocked him.
Mia later apologized, still laughing. “I really thought he was normal.” I wasn’t mad — it made for a fantastic story.
Lesson learned: if a guy insists on paying, make sure he’s not going to invoice you afterward.
Oh, and the keychain? I kept it — as a hilarious souvenir from the weirdest date of my life.