Chloe stiffened. “What? No. That wasn’t me.” Her voice dropped.
“Same table, different guy?”
But Maya did not bat an eyelid. “You ordered the lobster, right? And there was a pretty similar conversation about the bill. That night, your date paid his half and left. You didn’t.”
The table around us went quiet. I could feel people listening now, watching.
I watched Chloe’s bravado falter. “Maybe you’re mistaken.”
Maya shook her head. “I’m not. I remember faces.” She paused, then added, “Give me a moment. I’m going to get my manager.”
Chloe straightened. “That’s not necessary.”
“Maybe you’re mistaken.”
Maya’s tone stayed calm. “It is. And we have camera footage to prove it.”
A man in a black shirt stepped over a moment later. “Good evening,” he said, glancing between us.
Maya spoke quietly. “She’s been here before. Same situation.”
The manager nodded, then looked at Chloe. “Ma’am, we’ll need you to settle your portion tonight. And there is also an outstanding balance from your previous visit.”
Chloe’s face drained. “That’s ridiculous.”
He didn’t react. “You’re welcome to dispute it, but it will need to be handled before you leave.”
“She’s been here before.”
Relief washed through me. “I’d like to pay individually, please. And I’d like to leave a tip for you, Maya.”
Chloe let out a tight laugh. “You’re seriously doing this right now?”
No one answered her.
Maya’s voice was soft but steady. “I just want to make sure everyone’s treated fairly. I’ll be back with the checks.”
Chloe started rummaging in her purse. “You could’ve just covered it, Evan. Seriously, this is so awkward now.”
I shook my head. “It’s not the money, Chloe. It’s the lie.”
She fell silent, staring at her phone like she wanted to vanish.
“You didn’t have to make this a scene. Both of you.”
When Maya returned, I slid my card over. Chloe handed hers over, her jaw tight.
“I’m sorry,” Maya said, not unkindly. “But that card’s been declined.”
