Spring has sprung, and with it, smiley faces. When yellow crocuses bloom all over town in the shape of an emoji during April’s first warm days, reporter Nero Storm is sent out to discover their meaning and origin.<br><br>Nero has little to smile about himself, what with dysfunctional family drama and a tragic love life. The previous fall, it seemed as if he might have finally met the man of his dreams in dog daddy, ride share operator, and charity organizer Z. Though the two spent but ten morning and evening car rides together, sparks flew. Unfortunately, at the end of that time, Nero witnessed a crime, and Z disappeared.<br><br>Now, as the rest of the world looks forward to a new beginning promised by spring, Nero is left to wonder. Are the smiley face flowers a message for him, and will he ever see Z’s smile again for real?

21 Smiles

“I hope everyone’s okay,” Z said.


“There’s no urgency among the EMTs, so it looks like no one’s been seriously injured, at least.”


“Reporter’s eyes…good deducing, there, Mr. Storm.”


“Thank you. We’re not getting by the mess anytime soon, though.”


We moved up one vehicle length at a time, every ten to fifteen seconds, as an officer directed drivers east, as a detour, I assumed.


“I think it’d be quicker for me to get out and walk than to circle around,” I decided, since we were sill nine cars back.


“Yeah?” When Z turned back to look at me again, I forgot where we were even going.


“You want to walk the rest of the way?” he asked.


“Walk?” A long blink cleared my mind. “Walk. Yes. Walk.”


Raised brows, crinkly eyes, dimples, and slightly parted lips surrounded by dark whiskers had me wondering again where I was walking to, even as Z moved to get out of the car.


Chapter 15