It was his turn to laugh. “I know. It’s pretty awesome.”

He nodded at a passerby. “That’s my brother Mal’s mother-in-law. Want to meet her?”

“Do I?”

He shook his head. “You really don’t.”

She clinked her glass to his. “All right then. No.”

“That’s her, by the way. Gwen, Mal’s wife.”

She was beautiful on her husband’s arm. Mal was certainly Jonah and Levi’s brother. A younger version, yes, but he had the same masculine features. Handsome. He wore his tuxedo perfectly. As perfect as the champagne-toned cocktail number his wife wore. Gwen clearly knew how to look pretty. Her hair was done well and her makeup job—most likely a professional had done it—was exactly right for the evening and her outfit.

Her ring was so huge Raven could see it from where they stood.

And then she noted Gwen’s expression when she caught sight of Daisy. Her eyes narrowed and her lip curled. She really, really didn’t like Gwen Warner. Not one tiny bit.

They moved through the crowd, Jonah introducing her here and there.

And then there was Liesl.

“Ah, Jonah, there you are.” The Warner matriarch paused to kiss her son’s cheek and then turned to Raven. “You’re Raven.” She held a hand out and Raven took it, shaking, hoping she wasn’t too soft or too rough or wrong in any way. She wanted to be perfect for Jonah.

“I am.”

“I’m Liesl Warner, Jonah’s mother.” The older woman gave her the once-over. Jonah moved closer to Raven, putting an arm around her waist.

“Raven Smith.”

“I know Smith is a common name, but I can’t tell you the last time I actually met someone with that name.”

“I took it on when I emancipated myself from the state. I was seventeen and had been bounced around from home to home for so long I didn’t really belong to anyone or anything and had no affinity with the people whose biological stock I carried. I figured Smith was generic enough so I took it on. I belong to myself.”

Liesl drew herself back, narrowing her gaze for a moment.

“I apologize. I meant no offense.” And it was genuine; though she had when she said it, she was sorry at that moment and that was what counted. God knew Raven said things all the time that offended people.

Raven nodded. “I’m probably the one who should apologize.”

Jonah squeezed her to his side. “No, you aren’t. It’s fine now. We’re moving on and changing the topic.”

Liesl actually smiled at Raven and then her son. “Indeed. Jonah tells me you’re an artist.”

Raven laughed. “Well, I’m not like Daisy. I do tattoos.”

She’d half expected Liesl to frown, but she didn’t. Instead she nodded. “Daisy is one of a kind, I agree. As for art in general? One of the pieces on sale this evening is made of spit and gum. Art comes in many forms. Jonah says you’re doing one on his whole back and that it takes several sessions, each taking many hours. He wouldn’t show me what you’ve done so far, but he assures me you’re quite talented.”

“I wasn’t going to remove my shirt in the middle of the restaurant, no. But yes, she’s very good.”

“He says you have a wait list.”

Raven looked toward him quickly, so surprised by this entire exchange. “I do, yes. My boss is the draw, but I have a decent client base. People like my work. It’s good because I like doing it and it pays my mortgage.”

“Making a living with your art is a good thing.” Liesl turned to her son. “You should figure out how we can put Raven to work for the next auction. If Levi can convince Daisy to donate her art, I’m sure you can be equally persuasive.”

“Mother—”

“What auction is this for?”

“Created Families. We raise money and awareness for adoption and foster care support.”

Jonah made a cute, frustrated sound.

“Quit that, Jonah. The woman has a history in the system. Why shouldn’t she want to help?”

“Have you ever stopped to . . .” He clamped his lips closed. “We’ll talk about this later.”

“If you’ll both excuse me. I need the ladies’ room. Then you can talk about me while I’m gone. I’ll give you about ten minutes.”

She stepped out of his grasp and he started to speak. She placed her finger over those talented lips. “Shh. I’ll be back.”

Jonah turned to his mother. “Did you ever stop to think her experiences in the system might have been terrible?”

“I assume it was, given the way she spoke about how she changed her name. And my, the girl has some spunk. Put me right in my place.” His mother was impressed, Jonah could see it, and frankly, he was too.

“She did, and don’t think we won’t talk about how rude you were later on. For now, why push for this auction stuff?”

“Just because the woman had a rough time doesn’t mean she wouldn’t want to make it better for others. I’m sure she’s not an idiot and understands it wasn’t the system who harmed her, but some of those in it.”

“You should have discussed it with me privately. I don’t want her hurt. You need to understand that. She means something to me. Being with me doesn’t mean you have carte blanche to play with her like a cat with a bug.”

His mother reached out to squeeze his arm. “Darling, she’s no bug. Your Raven can handle herself quite ably.”