Refuse for an invitation

[Ju]

May treated Tim to a dinner last month. Tim wants to treat her to a dinner in return which May doesn't want to go because she doesn't want Tim to do it in return.

1. How should May write him back to refuse Tim to treat her to a dinner in a polite way?
2. Is "in return" a right words in the above paragraph ?

Thanks.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

May treated Tim to a dinner last month. Tim wants to treat her to a dinner in return. May doesn't want to go because she doesn't want Tim to do it in return.

1. How should May write him back to refuse the dinner in a polite way?

That's up to May. The standard polite no is, "No, thank you," followed by an explanation.

2. Are "in return" the right words in the above paragraph(no space)?

The first is correct. The second begs (that is, avoids or fails to answer) the question. We already know the dinner is a return favor. The words after because should say why.

Thanks.

You're welcome!

 

[Tarheel]

Perhaps:

May: No, thank you. I have other plans. But I appreciate the thought.