It seems like Xavier is looking for a way to express concern for his friend without directly saying she looks tired. If he wants to ensure that his comment doesn't come off as rude or insensitive, he might consider framing his thoughts in a more positive or supportive way, rather than making a potentially negative observation.
If he thinks asking her directly might lead to an answer he doesn't want ("yes" may imply she's feeling tired but that doesn't mean he should comment on it), he could instead ask open-ended questions to gauge how she's feeling. Here are a few suggestions for questions that might help:
- "How have you been feeling lately?"
- "Is everything okay? You seem a bit off."
- "Hope you're doing alright! Anything on your mind?"
By asking a more open-ended question, Xavier can provide a space for his friend to share if she wants to, without making her feel uncomfortable about her appearance. This way, he can offer support without making the comment about looking tired.