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

“How about we start with you reminding me what he looks like?” Carmen asked.


“Dark brown eyes,” I told her, “a silky soft beard, like raven feathers, and lips that feel and taste like marshmallows, at least when he’s eating cupcakes.”


“I’ll kiss every man, until I find the right one.”


“You can if you want, but…there.” I spotted him right away, at the other end of the park. He stood out in the sea of pink T-shirts with Walk for Cancer emblazoned on the front, Let’s Discover a Cure on the back, a tie-in for the Columbus Day weekend.


“Wowsiedoodle.” Carmen was as gaga as I.


Chapter 26