Circuitous

He'd gone in the most roundabout way possible. From A to X to C to F to Z to L. Then back to Z. Because he was supposed to be at Z. Waiting for her.

But maybe he'd missed her. In taking a longer, stranger route, had he wasted too much time? Had she already come, and waited, and gone?

Yes, this was possible. Probable, in fact.

His head slumped against the dash and the car hummed beneath him. He wondered if she would come back, and how long he would stay here with that hope. It wouldn't feed him or keep him warm, hope. But maybe it would be enough.