The friend isn’t there for when the date is in the public space. The friend is there for after to ensure the girl gets home safe.

Maybe I just to respect the French language /s

yeah my keyboard doesn’t have those funni french accents.

Your read of the situation is pretty tilted, ngl.

He said he’s not paying for her, the implication is they are going out to eat for a date. Not chilling at home or somewhere in private. Bestie can chill somewhere else other than at the table the date is happening at, if homegirl feels threatened or scared of the guy she can signal for bestie.

I can totally understand wanting a trusted friend around to ensure a date goes fine, hell ive done it several times for girls and guys I’m friends with. But that safety net can stay in the background and doesn’t need to be at the table interfering with the date. But never once did I expect the friend I was wingmanning for to buy me food or drink while I hovered in the background. All homegirl had to say is bestie is paying their own way or homegirl was gonna give her some money.

She’s covering her butt, understandably, by bringing a friend, and he’s covering his by stating he’s not paying for the third wheel.

Dude never said friend can’t come, dude just said he’s not covering her bill.

I’m fine with a girl bringing a buddy or backup but don’t make it a third wheel unless your intention from the start is a menage trios.