<p><b>DEAR ABBY:</b> I invited a friend, "Sybil," to dinner at a fine dining, special occasion restaurant to celebrate her birthday. About a month before, I called to say I had also asked someone else to join us, as it was also her birthday. I thought the three of us would have fun, as we rarely go to fine dining establishments.</p><p>I was the host, so I said that I would pay for all of us.