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

Z’s clothes were comfy and warm. I’d gone with the clean ones, after a moment fantasizing about slipping into the pants and undershorts from the floor. I was actually a little turned on either way, having something against my body that had been against Z’s.


“Good choice.” I spun around to see him at the door. “Oh, crap.” He zeroed in on the pants beside the rug at the foot of his neatly made bed. “Forgot to pick up my jammies.” He was there in two steps to scoop them up. “I have to wear something to bed in case I get a call in the middle of the night from one of the tenants.”


“Ah.” His pants and underwear in his hands, mine in mine, I considered asking if he’d like to trade.


“It’s no trouble. Wait. How’d you…? Why’d I…?” Z’s brows went every which way. “You don’t want those.”


Chapter 24