Am I flirting with him? Is that flirting? I’m so obviously not good at it, if I don’t even know what it sounds like.

Good. Because I’m enjoying yours as well and I’m not planning on going anywhere.

I look at the phone and smile. The kind of smile I shouldn’t have after today.

Nine

Are you ready for one more tour? he texts.

Yes, I am. Where do we go now?

The moment I hit send, I realize what I just said. Where do we go. It’d make me laugh if it didn’t feel so true. Whoever he is and wherever he is, it’s as if we’re doing all these things together. Going from place to place, sharing these incredible experiences. And I’m loving it.

It’s been hours since I last thought about David and all thanks to Max. How funny life is.

Fairy Tale Houses, he texts.

Wait, are those the few houses I saw when I got off the bus?

Those are just the touristy ones. Just wait and see, he says.

I like that he seems to know when to push back on me, and he doesn’t do it aggressively but kind of in an attractive, taking-charge way.

Patience is not a virtue I possess, I send back with a grinning face.

Some things are worth waiting for, he texts together with a smiley wearing sunglasses.

I gulp. I think I read something else into that text. I don’t know why.

Head on to Carmel Plaza, across from Devendorf Park on Ocean Ave, between Junipero and Mission. Look for the Trumpeter bronze statue and fountain in front of Kate Spade.

I follow his directions and arrive in front of the Trumpeter ten minutes later.

Now cross Ocean Avenue at Junipero and walk through Devendorf Park. Exit on Sixth.

Where to now?

You’re a fast walker, he texts and sends me a running emoji.

I’m excited to get there, I text.

Cross Junipero to Surf and Sand Liquors. Right after is Torres Street. Turn left and walk up the hill. Across from the parking area of the Best Western you’ll see it.

Oh, wow! What is this?

It’s an amazing little house and it does truly look like it’s from a fairy tale. And I know exactly from which one the moment I see it. Hansel and Gretel. When I get closer to the entrance, I smile to myself. The plaque says ‘Hansel’. It looks like a real-life gingerbread house, with a cute light-green rounded door and matching window frames. So beautiful. It’s not perfect and seems a little skewed, which makes it even more charming.

It’s beautiful, isn’t it? he texts.

A couple of minutes later, he texts again.

Let’s walk back down the hill and turn left on Sixth Avenue. On the corner of Torres and Sixth is the historic Grant Wallace House, a Tudor Storybook style.

I love how he refers to all this as if we’re in it together. Just like I accidentally did.