A week or so later, the couple were having lunch in a restaurant Raven had recommended.

Ryan bit into a sausage, as Chelsea readied a fork full of salad.

"So, your ex was Garrett Grayson, huh?"

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"His story was in the news. Having an affair with a federal agent will do that."

In spite of herself, she laughed.

"Wish that was all he did to me."

"Hmmm?" He managed. He'd been sipping at his iced tea when she'd spoken.

She soon explained everything. How he'd taken the money she'd gotten for her invention, how he'd hit her, especially if drunk, how he belittled her at every turn when they'd be out with his friends.

"Everyone told me what he was like, and, I guess I was so caught up in love that I didn't listen."

He dabbed her tears with a napkin.

"Honey. I'm nothing like that."

"I wanna believe it, so does Levi."

He hugged her.

"You'll both see. I'll give you time, promise."

They soon got to talking about their families to change the subject. Chelsea, from what he could gather, was closer to Raven's family than her own.

"Rae and I go way back. She's like the sister I never had."

"Wow."

"Sweet, huh?"

She soon explained about how the two had been hired for a fashion job, and she'd gotten it, though only because she was white.

"So, the manager wouldn't hire blacks?"

"Not one."

"It's the 21st century for crying out loud."

"Some people just don't wanna move on."

His father, it turned out was a chef, and a good one from what she heard.

"I can send you some of his recepies."

"That'd be great. Rae and I can learn how to cook Southern style."

They laughed, Chelsea smiling for what felt like the first time in months. He gently ran a hand through her auburn hair.

"We'll be fine. You and your friends should visit Memphis some time."

"Just might take you up on that."

Raven talked things over with Chelsea that night.

"Chels, that's great."

"Huh?"

"You were able to get a lot off your chest."

"Yeah. I'm worried about Levi."

"Girl, he'll be fine. You just have to let him get settled in."

"Yeah."

Both didn't know Levi had overheard, standing by the door. He was still uneasy about it, though happy his mother had been willing to talk things out with her future second husband. All he had to do was try to get closer to Ryan, wanting to be sure he wouldn't be anything like his father. He'd need some help with that, and was sure he'd get it.