My Date Paid For Dinner, But What Happened Next Left Me

When My Best Friend Mia Insisted On Setting Me Up With Her Boyfriend’s Friend, I Hesitated. Blind Dates Were Never Really My Thing—Too Unpredictable, Too Awkward. But Mia Swore Eric Was Different: Polite, Thoughtful, Reliable. “He’s One Of The Good Ones,” She Said. Against My Better Judgment, I Agreed.

Eric Seemed Promising At First. His Texts Were Well-Written—No Lazy Abbreviations Or Late-Night Half-Sentences. He Asked About My Job, My Hobbies, Even My Favorite Coffee Order. It Was Refreshing To Talk To Someone Who Didn’t Treat Conversation Like A Chore. After A Week Of Back-And-Forth, He Suggested Dinner At A Popular Italian Restaurant Downtown. It Felt Like A Safe Choice—Public, Elegant, And Casual Enough To Avoid First-Date Pressure.