When my friend Mia set me up with Eric, I didn’t expect much—but our first date felt like a scene from a romantic movie.

He showed up with flowers, a personalized keychain, and insisted on paying for dinner, saying,

“A man pays on the first date.” I was flattered and thought I’d met someone genuinely sweet.

Then, the next morning, Eric sent me an invoice.

Yes, a real invoice—charging me for things like “roses for a hug,” “dinner in exchange for a second date,” and “engaging conversation”

as payment for a compliment. It was formatted like a business receipt, and he was completely serious. I was stunned.

I showed it to Mia and her boyfriend Chris, who had recommended Eric. Chris was just as appalled and decided to respond in kind—with

a hilarious fake invoice charging Eric for “wasting a great woman’s time” and “a lifetime of silence.” We sent it,

and Eric replied with angry texts claiming I’d missed out on a “great guy.” I blocked him immediately.

The date began with charm and ended in absurdity. It taught me that real generosity doesn’t

come with a price tag—and that red flags sometimes wear suits and bring flowers.