"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.

Benton West @ 6:45 PM: Are you and your sister having fun?

Stevie stilled at the text her on screen, her eyes going wide. Had Benton just texted her something so benign, so...thoughtful? Almost like a boyfriend? Stevie glanced up at her sister who was scanning the restaurant for famous faces.

"How do you know if someone is your boyfriend?" Stevie spat the question out, her words moving a mile a minute, "or more like, how do you know if someone is more than just interested in, you know, hooking up?" Olivia blinked her eyes at her sister, her full pink mouth popping open in surprise.

"Um, I'm sorry, back up." Olivia flipped her angelic hair over her shoulder, leaning in closer to Stevie, "Have you been seeing someone?"

Stevie shifted in her seat, reaching for her water. "Um, yes? I mean, kinda. Honestly, I don't really know what to call it." Olivia licked her lips, smiling. She'd always wanted to give Stevie boy advice like any worthy older sister should, but Stevie had never even been remotely interested.

"Is this about that Arrow guy? The one with all the tattoos?" Stevie rolled her eyes, her sister somehow stuck on being sarcastic about Aero. The guy dated Hollywood's elite. What was it with people assuming there was something between them?

"No, Olivia." Olivia cocked her head, pursing her lips together. "Okay...then who is it?"

"Why does that matter? Can't you just answer my question?" Olivia smiled, sensing Stevie's frustration.

"Wow, you really like this guy, huh? I've never seen you this...wound up."

"I'm not wound up."

"So are."

"Am not!"

"Good evening ladies," a waiter appeared, his perfectly chiseled jawline and black hair giving him away as a hopeful model or actor in the city. He stared at Olivia for a moment too long before continuing, "can I get you two something to drink?"

"Yes, we will have a glass of the Ginjo Nigori Sake." Olivia batted her long eyelashes at him as he nodded and scuttled away.

"Okay, fine. You can keep it a secret. But usually if a guy wants to be your boyfriend, he shows that he cares. He remembers little details about you, about things that you like. He makes time for you. He shows you that you're a priority." Olivia's face fell as she spoke, her eyes growing glassy as she stared down at the table.

"Olivia, what's wrong?" Stevie leaned over, trying to get her sister to look up at her. When she did, Stevie nearly gasped at the unshed tears she saw in her sister's emerald eyes.

"Oh, Stevie," Olivia exhaled, straightening her shoulders to try and collect herself, "I wanted to tell you. I wanted to tell Mom and Dad but I just didn't know how. I feel so...ashamed. I'm a total failure."

"Olivia," Stevie grabbed her sister's hand, holding it steady, "what's wrong? You can tell me anything, I swear." The two girls hadn't been traditionally close over the years due to their vastly different interests, but the bond between them was still unbreakable. They were each other's only sibling. At times, with being only two years apart, they felt more like fraternal twins.

"It's Derrick. He," Olivia swallowed, smiling close-lipped as the waiter returned with their sake. She poured her glass full from the carafe, tossing back a healthy amount of sake before continuing, "he's been cheating on me. And not just recently. But the whole damn time, Stevie. Even before we got engaged."

"WHAT!" Stevie practically roared, her blood boiling.

"Stevie, Jesus Christ, sit your ass down. People are staring."

"Why didn't you tell me? When did you find out? Did you know before the wedding--"

"Stevie, please." Olivia held up her hand, downing more sake. "Enough with the Spanish Inquisition. I'm still processing this shit myself. It's part of the reason I had to come out here. I had to clear my head, get some space. Figure out what to do next."

"What to do?" Stevie fought to keep her voice down. "What you do is get a freaking divorce as fast as fucking possible, that's what you do."

Olivia smiled briefly, appreciating Stevie's defensiveness, but there was still a sadness in her smile. "I really thought, you know, that he was the one. I thought I loved him."

"Yeah, and we thought he was prince charming, but turns out, he's a total fucking douche." Stevie took a pull of sake straight from the carafe and Olivia slapped at her hand.

"Don't do that! You look so uncivilized."

"Olivia, I know a lawyer. The best lawyer. I'll get him to help you. Maybe he knows the best divorce attorney or something."

"How do you know a lawyer?" Stevie balked for a moment. Oh you know, because the only reason I have this supposed "job" is because I got caught illegally pirating from Pacific Records and by the grace of the music gods they made me a deal with...the devil. Stevie let out a sigh as all her inner monologues somehow led to Benton these days.

"He works at Pacific Records. He's the best of the best."

"Look, I appreciate it. Just give me a little more time, okay? I mean, it's only been a few weeks since I found the text messages. I just need to process it all." Stevie nodded, instantly wanting to know every single detail but also aware of the fact that recounting all of said details might be too painful for her sister right now.

After they placed their food orders, Stevie's blood still boiling, she rashly responded to Benton, treating him like what she needed him to be. A supportive boyfriend. Even if he only existed in that state in her own, twisted head.

Stevie @ 7:20 PM: Well, we were having fun until I found out that my sister's husband has been cheating on her. I'd like to personally rip his head off.