My phone beeps. The Lift driver. Max, I remind myself, it’s Max now.

The first thing is dropping your luggage somewhere. I assume you have luggage.

Just a backpack. I can carry it; I don’t mind.

OK. Second thing is you’re going to need a proper breakfast, he says.

I ate on the plane, I answer.

That’s not food. I’m giving you two options: Bellini or Café Azure. Your pick.

How would I choose? I ask. I don’t know which one is better.

Intuition. Don’t women have that sixth sense?

Ha-ha. I doubt it applies to restaurants. I’ll go with Café Azure. I’ve always wanted to go to Paris and this one sounds French.

Good choice. I’ll send you the link on Google maps.

Dolores and Seventh. It’s not far from where I am, and I take my time, walking and basking in the sun like a lizard. On the left side pretty houses, on the right side the ocean and a white-sanded beach like I’ve always dreamed of.

The temptation is too strong. I take my shoes off and walk in the sand.

If you take the Scenic Road Walkway, you could stop by the beach if you want. It’s nice and it shouldn’t be too busy now.

I gulp. Yes, that’s exactly where I am.

Guess what I’m doing? I ask.

Running back to the station to catch the bus to San Francisco?

Why would I ever do that? It’s beautiful here. No! I text.

I’m tempted to take a selfie, but instead, I just send a photo of the beach.

Nice! Breakfast will still be there when you’re ready.

I sit in the warm sand. It’s just me here, a couple walking their dog on my left and a man running to my right. It’s so serene.

Number 44, I text.

Oh, good, I was afraid you didn’t want to play anymore.

What’s your favorite book? he asks.

I have so many. My absolute favorites are the ones I read as a child. I’ll say my top three are: The Secret Garden, Princess Bride, and A Wrinkle in Time.

Those are great books. Mine are oldies too, but more of the late teenage ones, like The Great Gatsby, To Kill A Mockingbird and Brave New World. Number 29.

Have you ever seen a ghost? I text.

I don’t know if I believe in ghosts, but I hope there is something after this. Not that I’m excited at the prospect of getting stuck here and haunting people, LOL. Have you?

I don’t know. Maybe. When I look in the mirror in the morning before I put on makeup.

He sends laughing emojis. Self-deprecation is endearing.

I feel my face getting hot. If I had a mirror, I’d probably see my cheeks are red.

After a while, I put my shoes back on and walk in the direction of the breakfast place.

Café Azure is a cozy café—I’m sure peaceful when it’s not so packed like today. It also has a few tables on the sidewalk, and I stay outside. I’ve always wanted to eat like the Parisians.