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

“What you’re describing now isn’t a breakup, Nero. It’s a missing person.”


“It’s not that.” I walked around to the driver’s door.


“His Saturn was back at his apartment that night, and I watched him walk back and forth in front of the window.”


“See?” Carmen had followed me to my side. She shoved me. It was a gentle shove, but the feeling behind it still evident. “You didn’t tell me that, either.”


“It’s embarrassing, okay? I stalked him two whole days. Well, Saturday night and Sunday morning. His car came back and forth a couple times. Maybe he had ride share clients. I’m not proud of this, but it’s possible I stayed there the whole time, except when I drove away, so Abby could walk around and do her business.”


“But you never got out and talked to him?”


Chapter 31