Jess reluctantly agreed to a date set up by her brother, Adam, who had praised his friend Stewart. Despite her initial doubts, Jess prepared carefully, hoping Adam’s claims were true.

Stewart arrived in an impressive sedan, setting a high standard for the evening. He greeted Jess warmly, and they headed to an upscale downtown restaurant. The atmosphere was elegant, and Jess felt slightly underdressed.

Throughout the evening, Stewart was charming and attentive, making Jess laugh and feel comfortable. However, their perfect night crumbled when the bill arrived. Stewart confidently handed over his card, but the waitress returned, troubled: his card had been declined.

Panic set in as Stewart’s demeanor shifted from confidence to embarrassment and frustration. He insisted there must be a mistake, but subsequent attempts to use the card failed. Jess, mortified, suggested Stewart try another card, but he admitted he couldn’t afford the bill. He revealed Adam had arranged everything, from the borrowed car to promised funds for the date, none of which materialized.

Jess excused herself to the restroom, receiving a nonchalant text from Adam, unaware of the chaos he caused. She confronted him over the phone, demanding he fix the situation immediately.

Adam arrived, paying off the bill with a grin that infuriated Jess further. Despite his attempts to downplay the debacle as a prank, Jess was deeply hurt and embarrassed. She left conflicted, appreciating Stewart’s sincerity but questioning her trust in Adam.