Previous solution

Across: 1. Hand-picked 7. Outer 8. Educate 10. Bestowed 11. Step 13. Affair 15. Fondle 17. Iris 18. Graffiti 21. Gasping 22. Olive 23. Explicitly.

Down: 1. Hates 2. Narcotic 3. Pieces 4. Crux 5. Enacted 6. Forbearing 9. Expletives 12. Confront 14. Fair sex 16. Tragic 19. Icily 20. Pill.