My Colleague Came to My Date with Her 3 Kids in Tow & Ruined It – When I Confronted Her, She Boldly Said, ‘You Should Thank Me’

The evening was everything I had meticulously planned for: soft candlelight, a bottle of wine, and the potential for a deeper connection. But when my coworker barged in, her children in tow, the night unraveled into chaos, revealing a truth I never anticipated.

This third date with Susan was supposed to be the turning point. We had met on Tinder, where her profile showcased a blend of sharp humor and effortless charm. After two successful dates and a romantic walk in the park, I was ready to elevate things.

I had chosen a quaint, tucked-away Italian restaurant—a place removed from the usual city bustle. It seemed like the perfect setting for intimate conversation over pasta and wine under dim lighting.

Susan walked in wearing a navy dress that fit her perfectly, her hair flowing over her shoulders. She smiled, and I thought, This might actually work.

The waiter had just delivered a basket of freshly baked bread when the restaurant door slammed open, catching my attention. At first, I ignored it, but then a familiar voice broke through.

“Rob! What are the chances of seeing you here?”

My hand froze midway to a breadstick. Standing by the entrance was none other than Linda from accounting. Her brightly patterned dress stood out against the restaurant's cozy ambiance. But the real issue wasn’t her outfit—it was the three kids clinging to her, radiating untamed energy.

“Linda?” I said, barely masking my surprise.

She strode confidently toward our table, her kids following. “You didn’t mention you’d be here tonight!” she declared.

Susan shot me a wary glance, her expression skeptical. “Someone you know?” she asked.

“She’s a colleague,” I clarified, forcing a smile as Linda took it upon herself to seat her kids at our table.

“It’s packed in here tonight,” Linda said casually, grabbing a breadstick. “We’ll just join you. You don’t mind, do you?”

Oh, I minded. I really, really minded.

Linda had always been a paradox. A single mother of three—ages two, eight, and twelve—from two failed relationships, she exuded both an intimidating presence and undeniable magnetism.

At work, she commanded respect with her sharp wit and striking beauty, though she kept everyone at a safe distance. I respected her determination, her fierce loyalty to her kids, and her uncanny ability to thrive amidst chaos.

But my admiration stayed professional and distant. Linda, with her fierce independence and captivating aura, was way out of my league.

Now, seated beside me with her kids in tow, her once-impressive energy felt overwhelming.

“Linda, what’s going on?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my gaze darting to Susan, whose curiosity was rapidly turning into irritation.

Linda placed a hand on mine as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I quickly pulled away. “You promised to watch the kids tonight,” she announced, her tone accusatory. “And here you are… on a date?”

Susan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Excuse me?” she said, her tone sharp.

Linda didn’t even blink. “Oh, don’t mind me,” she continued. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your evening. But Rob has been, let’s just say, very involved with us.”

Susan stood abruptly, her expression a mix of shock and anger. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but clearly, you two have something to figure out.”

“Wait, Susan—” I started, but Linda cut me off, her grin smug.

“You really should’ve told her the truth, Rob,” she said. “It’s only fair.”

“Linda, stop it!” I hissed, feeling heat rise in my face as other diners turned to watch.

Susan grabbed her purse, her voice ice cold. “You clearly have unresolved issues. Good luck.” And with that, she stormed out.

I moved to follow her, but Linda’s toddler latched onto my leg, her sticky hands gripping tight.

The restaurant grew quiet.

“Linda, what are you doing?” I asked through clenched teeth. “You just destroyed my date.”

She remained unfazed, leaning back in her chair. “You should actually be thanking me.”

“Thanking you?” I repeated, incredulous. “For what? Humiliating me in front of everyone?”

Linda casually pulled out her phone, scrolling as if she hadn’t just set my night on fire. “No. For saving you.”

I stared at her. “Saving me?”

Without a word, she turned the phone toward me, displaying a grainy image. “Recognize her?”

It was Susan. “What is this?”

Linda zoomed in, her expression serious. “That’s a mugshot. My brother’s a cop. She’s wanted for fraud. Long story short, she cons men into relationships, gains their trust, and then scams them out of their savings. When I saw your Instagram post before your date, I recognized her face.”

The room felt like it was spinning. “You’re kidding.”

“I’m not,” Linda replied, her voice softer now. “I couldn’t let her take advantage of you.”

I slumped back in my seat, the weight of her revelation crashing down on me. “Why didn’t you just… call me?”

“I tried,” she said simply. “But when I saw you here, I panicked. I couldn’t risk her slipping away.”

Her words sank in, mingling with lingering anger and shock. Susan had been a scammer, and Linda—chaotic and unorthodox—had stopped me from walking into disaster.

Linda’s eldest broke the tension, his voice impatient. “So, are we eating or not?”

A laugh bubbled out of me, unbidden but genuine. Despite everything, I couldn’t help but find the absurdity funny.

Linda smirked. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

Shaking my head, I let out a sigh. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet,” she replied with a smile, “here you are. Not broke, thanks to me.”

For the first time, I looked at her fully—her tired but determined expression, her kids radiating affection for her. Something shifted inside me.

“Linda,” I said, my tone lighter, “can I at least buy you and the kids dinner?”

She blinked, taken aback. “After all this?”

“Yeah,” I said. “I think you’ve earned it.”

Her eldest beamed. “Pizza!”

Linda smiled, a warmth in her eyes I hadn’t seen before. “Alright, Rob. But dessert’s on you.”

“Deal,” I said.

Now, two years later, Linda and I are inseparable. I’ve adopted her kids, and they’ve shown me what unconditional love really looks like.

And Linda? She still claims I owe her a thank-you.

Every day, I give her one.