"Ah, a woman I take it," and he paused, not sure who she was, puzzled by how quickly Alfie made an excuse for her, "I don't know if you've ever mentioned her. Is she a friend? Or maybe something more?"
He found his mouth slightly drying at the question, and instead of thinking about what that be, some physical reaction of worry for Alfie that was more selfish, instead Stu took yet another drink.
He knew his limits, feeling the effects already on himself, so Stewart leaned forward and placed the bottle on their coffee table carefully, and instead picked up a box of Chinese food. He started to take a bite and paused, "I got Chinese, if you want some? Have you eaten anything?" wondering just how much Alfie might have drunk thus far. Stu didn't think Alfie looked too great and it worried him.