Chapter 1

1

Hayden pushed his glasses up his nose and surveyed the spectacle in front of him.

Every year it was the same thing at the university’s fundraising rounds. The rich, powerful, and in some cases very sexy, arrived to view the latest projects by the automotive engineering students, along with other departments’ projects. As the various department heads kept saying, this was their time to shine!

The students were required to volunteer to work the events of benefit to their departments. It was their job to mix and mingle, answer questions, and boost interest, which in turn would increase patron and alumni donations.

Milling about among the displays of concept cars and ten-foot-tall photographs of finished products from past projects—hung suspended from the ceiling—were some of the school’s wealthiest benefactors. They were enjoying a shrimp buffet, fresh fruit and cheese, champagne, and a wide variety of martinis. To one side of the large lobby the project labs opened onto a dance stage. Right now no one was there, but Hayden knew from past experience that the more martinis and champagne the visitors consumed, the more likely there would be dancing.

Hayden recognized a few of the guests from the coffeehouse where he worked in the city to help make ends meet. Many of the attendees had businesses in the downtown area of Greenville, South Carolina. He doubted any of those people would recognize him, however. The guy behind the counter of a coffee shop was invisible to most customers. Tonight instead of jeans and a polo shirt bearing the store logo, Hayden wore borrowed clothes. The male student volunteers—and volunteer was a loose term; they were more like slave labor—were required to wear suits. Hayden didn’t own a suit. Fortunately for him his best friend was in the art program, focusing on fashion. Rick was straight as an arrow, always well dressed and ridiculously happy to help Hayden spruce up when the need arose. He had been able to borrow a tux from Rick, though he’d also had to suffer through an apology that the outfit was two years behind in fashion. Honestly, Hayden couldn’t tell the difference and was simply happy it fit and met the requirement.

Picking up a chocolate martini—and dear heavens, when did someone invent those sinful things?—Hayden took a healthy gulp and made his way around the room.

“Talk to these people. Tell them all about the projects. Get their interest,” Hayden mumbled under his breath as he edged closer to the growing crowd. “Pretend they’re customers.”

That was the advice Rick had given him, and it was good advice. Rick was everything Hayden was not. He was outgoing and personable. Everyone flocked to him. Hayden, on the other hand, always felt awkward in social situations, shy, and the only thing he seemed able to talk about was his work. Too bad Rick couldn’t have come tonight instead of Hayden

At least he could entertain himself watching all the beautiful people and enjoy the soft music being played in the background.

One couple in particular caught Hayden’s eye. They walked arm in arm through the long tables showcasing model cars from the earliest years of automobiles on up to what they might look like in the future. The man was pointing out different reproductions and stopping to read the information cards associated with them. It was clear the woman wasn’t very interested. She was probably simply indulging the man. They seemed friendly with each other, but not as if they were in love. Hayden leaned to the side for a better look and noted that neither wore a wedding ring. The man caught Hayden watching him and smiled softly, raising his glass in Hayden’s direction.

“Oh shit,” Hayden whispered and turned away. He’d been caught staring. Mortified, he sucked in a breath and finished off his martini. “You really shouldn’t drink,” he reminded himself.

Moving behind one of the hanging prints, Hayden peeked out at the man, wondering about him. Was he really interested in concept cars or was this merely an opportunity for a tax write-off? At first glance, Hayden would have sworn the man was gay and had been staring back. Usually his gaydar was reliable as hell, but there was that woman. That’s when an epiphany hit Hayden. Maybe she was his sister. Hayden put his head down and slipped into the food-prep area that had been set up for the event. He grabbed a new tray of fruit and cheese and carried them to the nearest table, ridiculously relieved when he saw the man standing with his back to him.

Hayden mentally dubbed the man Mr. Silver GQ and stole glances at him, taking in how he moved. Mr. Silver GQ was one of those older guys who was probably sexier now than he had been in his twenties. Hayden hoped he’dbe one of those men. This guy was tall, several inches over Hayden’s six feet, he guessed, with the sort of grace that came with years of some variety of athletic training. Maybe he played soccer or baseball in college, a scholarship player who still enjoyed a weekend game. Hayden could fill a lot of time fantasizing about how GQ would look in soccer shorts or those skintight baseball pants.