Healthy friendships survive a “no.” If one skipped plan makes them go cold, notice that.

A single no is a good test, and you do not have to design it. Friends who are fine will be mildly disappointed and then normal, because the friendship is not conditional on your availability, while somebody who punishes you with silence over one missed plan is telling you what the arrangement actually is. That is information rather than an accusation.

Say no to one thing this week that you genuinely cannot do, plainly and without a long excuse. Then watch what happens next. The reaction will tell you more about the friendship than ten good evenings would.