“Alexandra and I worked together in California. We made a great team—called ourselves Mutt and Jeff. I moved when my partner—now husband—Bruce returned toDC.”
Alexandra grinned. “Congratulations. That’s soawesome.”
Gavin ungloved his hand to display a wedding band. “The old ball andchain.”
Theylaughed.
Gavin eyed Crockett. “You snagged yourself a handsome one, girl. Lord knows Bruce and I tried fixing her up, but our gal was too picky for her owngood.”
“Oh, no, he’s not my—” Alexandrablurted.
“I’m an old friend,” Crockett said. “Alex needed some help navigating through thesnow.”
“I’ve got her if you need to head out,” Gavinsaid.
“I’ll be a while,” Alexandra said to Crockett. “Gavin, would you mind dropping me off at Crockett’s office in Crystal City? He won ourDC’s Brightest Tech Starcontest.”
“Congrats. That’s a big ratings boost for our station. I’ll team with you on that, if you want,Alexandra.”
“Like old times,” she said. “Only, Crockett hasn’t agreed to theinterview.”
“Ooh, honey, youknowI love a man who plays hard to get,” Gavin said and Alexandralaughed.
“All righty, then, I’ll take off,” Crockettsaid.
“Hellooooo,” someonehollered.
Not bothering to turn around, Gavin cringed. “I’ve got teacher’s pet in tow. In addition to being an award-winning cinematographer, I can add chauffeur to my list of accomplishments. Max had me pick Stacyup.”
“Is she a reporter?” Crockettasked.
Alexandra sighed. “She covers the WhiteHouse.”
“Brace for insanity,” Gavin whispered. “And God helpus.”
With one hand gripping her hip while the other shielded her eyes from the sun, Stacy appeared beside Gavin. “How long will this take? I’vegotto get toPOTUSville.”
Shaking his head, Gavin ignored her. “I’ll set up here,Alexandra.”
Eyeing Crockett, Stacy broke into a grin. “Stacy B-L-U-N-K. But pronounced like the white wine. If we’re setting up a shot,I’llinterviewhim.”
“Wait in the truck,” Gavinsaid.
“Look, Gavin, I neeeeeeed to leave.” Stacy stomped her foot, but her heel got stuck in the snow mound. As she yanked it out, she flailed her arms to keep from falling. “How long is this bullshit going to take? There are issues on the Hill that requiremyattention.”
“I thought you said you covered the White House,” Crockett said. “That’s not CapitolHill.”
“Oh, yeah, right.Whatever.”
Crockett glanced at Alexandra, who’d pinched her lips together. He needed to get to the office, but maybe he could buy himself a few points by taking the whiner off her hands so she could work. “I’ll drop youoff.”
Grinning, Stacy grabbed his arm. “Ooh, you’re made of steel. Are youSuperman?”
He ignored her fawning and wrapped his hand around Alexandra’s shoulder. “I’ll see youlater.”
She eyed Stacy’s vise grip before shooting him a little smile. “I’ll beby.”
The sparkle in her eyes lit his insides on fire.So beautiful. “Have fun in your Hunters, GG.”My Goth Girl.He hadn’t called her that nickname in years, but damn it felt right. Like a secrethandshake.
