"Completely," she confides, having decided now that the question of would-be awkward passes has been settled in favor of "nobody's making one, everybody relax" that this is all okay. "I mean, I like people and all, but there's a limit. I just need a break from all of them and all the noise and excitement for a little while."

She shifts her wine glass to her left hand, offering her right. "Hi. I'm Rachel."