I put my plan into action the next morning. "Up and at 'em, birthday boy."
Ro reached for me. "Do I get to pick my present?" he purred.
"Nope. I have things to do." I gave him a peck on the cheek.
"This birthday sucks," he grumbled.
"Well, you're old now. Twenty-four." I clucked my tongue. "It's all downhill from here. Get used to it. 'Kay. Bye."
I didn't return until almost dinnertime, loaded down with packages. "I brought Thai!"
Ro padded out of the kitchen with a beer. "Want some help? Ooh. You went to Kin Kao."
I handed him the take-out bag. "Among other places. Spent a small fortune in Lyft fees." I put our dessert in the fridge and my other purchases on the table. Ro tried to peek in the gift bag but I slapped his hand away. "After dinner."