My boyfriend, Ryan, invited me to dinner because he wanted me to finally meet his parents.
I was nervous but excited. I had chosen a nice restaurant, dressed carefully, and hoped the evening would bring us closer.
As soon as we sat down, Ryan looked at me and laughed.
“Hope you brought your wallet,” he said. “We’re starving.”
At first, I thought he was joking. Then his mother began ordering expensive appetizers, his father chose the most costly steak, and Ryan added several drinks.
I quietly asked why he expected me to pay.
He shrugged. “You make more than I do. Besides, meeting my family should mean making a good impression.”
Before I could answer, his father pushed back his chair and stood.
“Sit down, son,” he said sharply. “She isn’t paying for anything.”
Then he revealed that Ryan had told them he was treating everyone because he had recently received a promotion. He had even borrowed money from his parents several times while pretending to live comfortably.
His father paid the bill, then apologized to me.
Ryan accused everyone of embarrassing him, but I had already seen enough.
I left the restaurant alone and ended the relationship the next morning.
The dinner wasn’t expensive because of the food.
It was expensive because it revealed how much staying with Ryan would eventually cost me.
