"Is it really?" I ask, taken a little by surprise. "The best birthday ever, I mean."

The thought makes me smile, soft and fond, and I have to bite my lip as I gather some more food onto my fork. "Be honest, Bits. Are you keeping count?"

I shove a big bite of chicken into my mouth, cheeks slightly puffed out and lips shiny as I grin at him. Maybe I'm trying to look ridiculous. Maybe I want to cover up the fact that I've definitely been keeping count.