I really thought that waiting was the better option
Go eith your instinct, your inner voice: wait.
Originally Posted By: SpyBunny
but the tickets seem like a good, natural lead-in
You could always give him the tickets, and say "Happy early birthday. I won't be going with you, so you've got an extra ticket to do with what you please."
Gardener
"My soul, be satisfied with flowers, With fruit, with weeds even; but gather them In the one garden you may call your own." Cyrano deBergerac