15. Dani
Dani
Ugh. Why did we decide a six-thirty flight to Las Vegas was a good idea? At least I have Alexa with me to commiserate on the ride over.
Once we’re out of the rideshare, we quickly check our bags and make our way through security.
“I need coffee.” I yawn.
“How can you be so tired? Today’s the big day!” Alexa beams.
She’s right. I’ve been waiting for this moment my entire career, but I still need coffee.
We make our way through the airport and find our gate. Alexa grabs some seats for us and immediately pulls out her laptop to work on an acceptance speech. She’s so confident we’re going to win. I on the other hand am not going to jinx it.
“I’m going to head back to that coffee shop we passed,” I say. “Do you want anything?”
“No thanks. I’m wired enough.”
I make my way down the hall until I find the little slice of heaven I was searching for.
Just the smell of the beans is already helping me wake up.
I’m standing in line when I hear my name from behind.
I turn to see Gavin walking up. He isn’t in his usual suit and tie today.
Instead, he’s wearing dark jeans and a light red pullover sweater, and his hair is a shaggy mess.
This is almost the Gavin I remember from all those years ago.
“I shouldn’t be surprised to find you in the coffee line.” He smiles.
“What are you doing here so early? I thought only Alexa was compulsive about being here exactly two hours before a flight.”
“Looks like you have two compulsive friends in your life,” he laughs. “What are you in the mood for? Coffee is on me.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. Today is about you and Alexa. So, prepare to be spoiled rotten.”
“Well in that case, my usual please.”
Gavin and I walk up to the counter and he orders our drinks. As we wait off to the side, I check my emails on my phone, and see there’s still nothing from Sam. I can’t help the small sigh.
“Everything alright?” Gavin asks.
I hesitate. “It’s Sam. I haven’t heard from him in a few days.”
Gavin gives me a look. Part sympathy, part caution.
“I know he’s obviously busy,” I go on, trying to keep my voice even. “But even when he can’t call, he at least emails every few days. And he knows what today is.”
Gavin nods slowly. “I’m sure everything’s fine. Probably got put on patrol and doesn’t have internet access.”
“Yeah.” I force a small smile. “Yeah, I’m sure you’re right.”
But I’m not sure. Not even a little. Because the last time I didn’t hear from him past a certain amount of time, he left me a parade of texts apologizing and explaining. And Sam knows what today is. I told him. It doesn’t make sense.
I bite the inside of my cheek. My phone screen glares at me like it’s mocking me. No notifications. No hey, babe. No sorry, I’ve been slammed but I miss you. Not even a dumb meme.
“He could’ve found thirty seconds,” I mumble, more to myself than to Gavin. “Even just a thumbs-up emoji. Anything.”
“Danielle—” Gavin starts.
“I know, I know,” I snap, then instantly regret the edge in my voice. “Sorry. It’s just… he’s halfway across the world, and I’m here trying to pretend like I’m not losing my mind. I hate this.”
Gavin doesn’t say anything, which I guess is the right move. I’m not blind to his feelings towards Sam, but I appreciate his attempts at trying to make me feel better.
It’s nice being able to talk to Gavin about Sam. It’s been just over a month since the beach, and things have been good. We haven’t had any more close calls, and I can tell he wants to make this friendship work.
He’s formed a little group with Alexa and me, and Emmett when he comes to town, and it’s nice to have my friend Gavin back.
We go to Doolies after work, and hell, Alexa and Gavin even got me to go hiking at some famous rock in town that looks like a potato chip.
I thought I was going to die after that adventure, but the photos make for some great memories.
It’s weird. I didn’t expect to trust him again, not after everything. But I do. Maybe not completely. Not yet. But enough to stand here and admit to him I’m spiraling over the silence from someone who should have remembered what today meant.
We grab our coffees and meet up with Alexa at the gate.
After waiting for what feels like forever, they finally call our flight for boarding.
The three of us make our way down the jet bridge and find our seats.
I sit down next to Alexa, with Gavin across the aisle from us.
It’s only a fifty-minute flight, but Mr. White still paid for us to be in First Class, which is a first for me.
The seats are huge compared to economy, and we’re met with complimentary champagne.
“Cheers!” Alexa holds up her glass.
Gavin and I follow suit and hold up our glasses.
“To the best newscast team in the business, Alexa and Dani.” Gavin smiles.
We clink our glasses and before I realize what I’m doing, I down it.
Alexa and Gavin just stare at me.
“Sorry,” I whisper. “I guess you could say I’m a little nervous.”
“I think we’re going to need a refill over here!” Alexa says to a passing flight attendant.
Our flight touches down in Vegas almost too quickly. As we’re moving through the airport, my attention keeps moving to the rows of slot machines lining the halls. They’re loud and lit up like Christmas trees, practically impossible to ignore.
Alexa stops in front of one and pulls out a quarter. “What do you say? Should we see how our luck is going to play out this trip?”
“Alexa, those things are rigged. No one ever wins,” I warn.
“It’s just a quarter, Dani, not my life savings,” she laughs.
“Go for it! We could use a little luck this trip,” Gavin chimes in.
I roll my eyes at him. “Enabler.”
Alexa puts the quarter in the slot and pulls the handle.
The jingle music gets even louder, and Alexa anxiously watches the spinning reels.
As soon as I look down to check my phone, I hear beeps and chimes blaring from the machine.
My head shoots up to see two and a half of the three reels stopped on cherries.
Holy shit.
“I won!” Alexa screams over and over again.
What the hell just happened?
The machine seems like it just keeps getting louder and louder, with the red light on top flashing and spinning. Eventually, everyone is staring at Alexa jumping up and down. She is so distracted, she doesn’t even see the voucher print out. I grab it and see how much she actually won.
“Holy fuck!” I yell. My jaw falls.
Gavin looks over my shoulder.
“She won eight grand?” he stutters.
Alexa yanks the voucher from my hand and runs over to the cash-out machine. She comes back stuffing a stack of hundreds into her wallet.
“Drinks are on me tonight after we take home our Emmy,” she giggles.
“Alexa, just because you won at slots doesn’t mean we’re winning tonight,” I remind her.
She just shrugs and starts walking towards baggage claim. Gavin and I quickly follow behind her.
Once we have our bags, we make our way to the taxi area and see a man holding a sign with Gavin’s name on it.
“Surprise!” Gavin says, holding out his arms. “I got us a limo for the weekend. Figured we should travel in style.”
Alexa screams and runs over to the driver to hand him her bags.
“You didn’t have to do this,” I say.
“I wanted to. You deserve it… both of you.” He shrugs with a small smile.
“Well, thank you. This is very sweet, and obviously Alexa is thrilled.”
“Shall we?” Gavin says, holding out his elbow for me to take.
We link arms and walk over to meet Alexa and the driver. The limo is waiting right outside for us. We crawl into the back and help ourselves to the free champagne waiting on ice. As the car starts to move, Gavin clears his throat.
“I have another surprise for you two.”
“Tickets to Cirque?” Alexa jokes.
Gavin laughs. “The station is paying for you two to have a spa day to get ready for tonight. It’s one of the reasons we booked such an early flight.
Wanted to give you plenty of time to relax.
Once we get to the hotel, you’ll have about an hour to settle in your rooms and then head down to the spa. ”
“This is the best day of my life!” Alexa shrieks.
“Gavin, that’s amazing! And Mr. White approved this?” I question.
“I convinced him you guys were worth the cost.”
“Thank you.” I press my lips together, holding the moment in.
The ride to the hotel is a blur. I just remember enjoying the free booze and laughing a lot. I take that as a sign I need to slow down.
We pull up to the Bellagio Hotel, right in the heart of the Strip. After checking in, we head up to the fifteenth floor, where Alexa and I end up in next-door rooms, with Gavin just down the hall.
“It’s just about nine now,” Gavin says, checking his watch. “Make sure you’re at the hotel spa in forty-five minutes. I’ll be in my room doing some work if you need me, but somehow, I doubt that’ll happen.”
“Thanks, boss!” Alexa cheers.
“Yeah, thanks, Gavin. Really. It means a lot.”
“Of course. Now go get settled in your rooms and have a great day. Meet me downstairs in the lobby at four-thirty and the limo will take us to the ceremony.”
Alexa and I turn to unlock our doors, and she rushes inside, slamming the door behind her. I linger in the hallway, my gaze catching on Gavin, chest heavier than I expected. I want to say something, something real, but I don’t know where to start, or if I should at all.
The last few months without Sam have been harder than I let on.
Nights felt too quiet, days dragged on, and somewhere along the way, I started leaning on Gavin more than I ever meant to.
It’s not just the absence that’s gotten to me.
It’s the realization that even before Sam left, I didn’t really have him the way I thought I did. Not in the ways that matter.
And that’s what makes this so complicated. Gratitude and comfort have twisted into something else—something I didn’t plan for. I can’t risk saying it out loud. Even the smallest hint could unravel everything we’ve built, and I’m not sure I could handle losing Gavin too.