I have a free evening and some (slightly) out of date beer

[TrophyWinner]

Fridays are the evening I struggle with most since DH died, we would normally cook together and have a glass of wine.

Since his death our couple friends have more or less disappeared and my options for friendly company are limited. Female friends are usually busy with partners on Friday eve and I find anyone with a partner is not inclined to do anything on the spur of the moment, dates need to be agreed in advance.

I do however have one single male friend who has been a good companion. Would it be really odd to message him and ask if he wants to share the out of date beer (ie it needs using up) and a pizza?

I have no romantic designs on him and he's been nothing put friendly towards me, but I'd hate to ruin the friendship by giving mixed messages.

I'm sorry your friends have let you down like this. That's sad. I hope I would be/have better friends when the situation arises.

I'd ask him. Just a casual text. From what you say he is unlikely to read anything into it. Then even if there is any room for doubt you can make it clear by your clothes /demeanour that is mates only. Don't use the phrase 'Netflix and Chill' though. That would definitely send the wrong message!

Sorry for your loss.
Hard to say but if it's just the two of you then there's the possibility of mixed messages, so I wouldn't. I would drink a beer or two though!

Drink the beer and have a lovely evening, I wouldn't ask him, it is blurred messaging.

You could perhaps ask if he fancies grabbing a beer and a pizza out, that seems less invasive somehow.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Could you make a bit of a joke out of it, like 'I've got some beer which needs drinking, do you fancy helping me tonight? Don't worry, I'm not asking you on a date!'

I'm also very sorry for your loss

If I had a friend who had been a good companion I wouldn't think twice about inviting them over for beer and a pizza on a Friday night and wouldn't think that was giving mixed messages at all.

Mind you, I've always had good friends of both sexes.

Go for it. If he is a good friend I'm sure he'll understand its just a nice chilled evening between mates, no need to think you're sending mixed messages. Agree with pp if you're worried keep clothing/appearance casual.
Hope you have a nice evening

I would too, have a lovely evening

If it makes a difference we're both in our 50s and I do think mixed sex friendships are more unusual (though obviously not unheard of) than they are for younger people.

My DCs, in their 20s, have very mixed friendship groups in way that wouldn't have happened when I was at school, for example.