Exactly, Mike.
And in your scenario, I can see why the partner wouldn't want to go by himself. If my significant other wasn't comfortable finding a way to entertain himself while I was at the meet'n'greet and he planned to just stand there in the parking lot forlornly while I was inside, then I wouldn't want to leave him alone either. So, we'd either pony up for his membership or I'd take my lumps and skip it, like you did.
Maybe they should investigate using larger spaces for these. Might make everybody happy.
In the meantime, I too have let my membership lapse.