Rochelle,
good for you. I think thinking about where that drink leads is a good tactic not to pick up, it's never - "few beers".
I found what you wrote about your husband and your relationship as good buddy drinkers interesting. How is it now that you are not drinking and he is?
I know when I was drinking I was quite happy to sit in the same spot for hours and chat as long as there was an adequate supply of booze.
CaiHong