Broken Record

Chapter 31: Stevie

"Wow, coworker is pretty generous. Is that your patented sarcasm?" Stevie laughed, Olivia totally unaware of how big of a deal it would be if she could actually call herself worthy of being Aero's coworker. But that was just like Olivia, haughty and above everything Stevie did.

"I can't believe you actually got us in at Nobu!" Olivia grabbed Stevie's arm in excitement as they headed toward the elevator bays. Stevie let out a scoff, not bothering to mention that there was no way in hell she would've been able to get a reservation without Aero's help. Or Benton's. Just as the thought popped into her head, Benton appeared from his office, his face taut with tension. As he eyed Stevie, his scan moving between her and her sister, Stevie felt a fissure of self-consciousness. Did he think Olivia was prettier than her? Normally it had never bothered Stevie before. She'd actually been grateful for her sister's model-like perfection to take the attention away from her. Stevie had always intentionally styled herself as an alternative punk to avoid the never-ending stream of douchebags that seemed to follow her sister around. But this time, Stevie had the foreign wish that she was also wearing a pink sundress and heels instead of ripped jeans, a tight tank, and her signature combat boots with neon green laces.

"Stevie." Benton nodded, his eyes heating as he stared down at her.

"Hi, Mr. West." Stevie felt a flush in her cheeks, not sure how to interact with Benton after all they'd done together. She fidgeted from foot to foot, part of her wanting to lunge at him and the other wanting to get down into the first floor lobby and away from this place as fast as possible. After an awkward pause, she felt Olivia nudge her in the side.

"Oh, uh, sorry, this is my older sister, Olivia."

"Wonderful to meet you, Mr. West. Are you Stevie's boss?"

"He's everyone's boss." Stevie snorted out before she could stop herself, her eyes going wide at the subtle smirk on Benton's face.

"Lovely to meet you, Olivia. Your sister's work has been quite impressive over the past two months." Stevie swallowed, the compliment holding more meaning than what was on the surface.

"That's great to hear!" Olivia smiled between Benton and Stevie, her natural social-butterfly energy helping to ease the palpable tension that Stevie felt in the air between them.

"I'm going to show her around the city, she's visiting for the weekend." Benton squinted his eyes, studying her and Stevie could feel her cheeks pink.

"Well, you two have fun. Enjoy your visit, Olivia." Benton nodded curtly before heading down the hallway, no doubt toward a conference room for another big important meeting. Stevie let out a rush of air as she and Olivia stepped into the elevator.

"Geez, Stevie, is everyone you work with here hot?" Stevie turned toward her sister in surprise. Olivia never even commented on other guys after getting engaged to Derrick, thinking it would be disrespectful or something ridiculous.

"What?"

"So I think first, maybe we could walk around Beverly Hills? I've always wanted to see it! And then dinner and maybe tomorrow go on a hike by the Hollywood sign?" Stevie blinked at her sister's quick subject change, not bothering to question it. Stevie hadn't even done either of those things during her time in Los Angeles.

"Yeah, that sounds good actually."

"Great!" Olivia clapped her hands and trotted out of the elevator, her long golden-platinum hair flowing behind her. Stevie rushed to catch up, her mind still focused on Benton and wondering what in the hell he was thinking when he'd seen her.

***

A few hours later, Stevie and Olivia were seated at Nobu, Olivia snapping a few excited photos on her phone of the trendy, celebrity-ridden dinner spot. Stevie looked over the menu, her mouth watering. Even though she couldn't care less about a celebrity spotting like Olivia, she did love sushi. As she made her way through the options, she felt her phone buzz in her lap.