Blinking, she shook her head, her mouth working silently as she realized her rudeness. "No, no," she said, lifting one hand as if to ward off his fears. "I'm sorry." Her vision slowly seemed to clear; for the first time since joining him on the beach she seemed to truly see him. His face seemed vaguely familiar, though had had not mentioned the apartments themselves, she may never have placed it. But she smiled, now, nodding in dawning recognition. Immediately she found herself grateful for his presence, feeling somewhere deep within the niggling certainty that his being there may well have prevented something disastrous. It did not do to dwell on such things, so she forged bravely on, clutching at the threads of conversation. "I'm at Pax, too," she said. "First floor." The wind whipped her hair, drawing it hard across her upturned face; she reached up, threading the errant strand behind her ear.
"Karin Shepherd. It's always good to meet a neighbor."