ght us our bill. I could feel the tension at the table as everyone glanced at the total. My share of the meal was now well over $40, and with the split, everyone’s portion had jumped to nearly $30.

When they realized what was happening, I almost laughed.

Josh slammed his card down on the table, his voice tight.

“Seriously, Sydney?

You’ve been ordering all these meals and you’re taking it home? And we’re supposed to pay? We’re not even eating it!

What’s your problem?”

“I’m just doing what we all agreed on. We split the bill equally, right? So, I figured that it was time for me to get my fair share now.”

Lisa crossed her arms, her mouth set in a thin line.

“This isn’t a meal-prep service, Sydney.

It’s supposed to be a team lunch.”

“Yeah, but I’ve been paying for food I didn’t eat for weeks. Now I’m just doing what you guys have been doing.”

They couldn’t argue with that. Not without admitting that they had been using me to subsidize their expensive meals all along.

They paid the bill, each one cringing or grimacing as they tapped their cards.

By the fourth week, I knew the game was up. As we sat down at our usual spot, Josh cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Uh, so, maybe we should… I don’t know, do separate bills from now on?”

Lisa nodded.

“Yeah, that might make things easier. You know, to keep veg and non-veg meals separate.”

I didn’t even try to hide my grin.

“That sounds like a fair idea,” I said.

That day, I ordered just one appetizer and one main dish.

Simple, just like before. When the food arrived, I made a point to offer it around the table, just like they had always done with their oversized meat platters.

“Anyone want a bite of my halloumi sticks?” I asked.

Josh and Lisa shook their heads, but I could see their frustration. They wouldn’t touch my food in the future, because it would mean paying for it, too.

After that, everything changed.

The group quickly abandoned the idea of splitting the bill evenly. It turns out, they’d been overspending for weeks without realizing it.

And me?

I finally got to eat my meal in peace, paying for only whatever I consumed, and walking away with my budget intact. Soon, I’m going to ask for a raise, and maybe then, I won’t have to worry so much.

For now, I’ll just stick to my salads and green tea.

What would you have done?

Source: amomama