[he has been avoiding Rose for various reasons, the least of which is her private message as he was not in the position to deal with it. He was walking along the beach, trying to shake off the feeling that he was being dragged down in an undertow, when he spotted her. He kept going, in enough control not even to pause like he wanted, and saluted her lazily with one hand]
Afternoon. Care for a beer? [and he offers her one of the bottles he'd been saving for later]
B
Afternoon. Care for a beer? [and he offers her one of the bottles he'd been saving for later]