NASHVILLE, TN — A birthday dinner for nine adults at Carmine’s Italian Grille descended into quiet financial chaos Friday evening when the group elected to “just split it evenly,” a decision that left Derek Paulson, 38, responsible for $74 toward a meal he did not eat.

Paulson, who ordered a side Caesar salad and a water, confirmed he said nothing when the total was divided equally among the table, reasoning that raising the issue would cost him more in social capital than the $60 differential he was absorbing in cash. He paid via Venmo before the appetizers were cleared.

The table’s collective tab included four orders of branzino, two bottles of Montepulciano, a shared tiramisu, and one surf-and-turf ordered by Todd Kimura, 41, who also suggested splitting it evenly.

“I did the math on a napkin. I just didn’t show anyone.”

“Derek looked a little pale when they passed the check around,” said Renata Holloway, 36, who ordered the branzino. “But he’s so easygoing. That’s just who Derek is.” Holloway added a 22 percent tip before passing the Venmo link, calling it “the right thing to do.”

Paulson confirmed the evening was enjoyable and that he would attend next month’s group dinner, also at Carmine’s, because saying no was “not really an option at this point.”

At press time, Paulson had opened a budgeting app, stared at the restaurant line item for four minutes, and closed it without categorizing the expense.