Hayden Owens is just a typical graduate student working his way through school as a barista for the Owens Coffee Company -- no relation. But he keeps the "no relation" part to himself when he meets dashing, older Neal Kirchner, a successful architect from an old-money family. Hayden doesn't exactly lie, but he figures it can't hurt for Neal to believe he's a rich kid. After all, Hayden doesn't want Neal thinking he's a gold digger.<br><br>Neal Kirchner is Asian Indian and British decent. His parents became Christians, shoving their heritage to the side. Neal has returned to the customs and religion his grandmother cherished. On top of being a very successful architect he's heir to the Indian Rose Tea Company, a business that's been in his family for generations.<br><br>Neal's passion is high performance cars and he meets Hayden at a fundraiser for the automotive engineering department of Clemson University. They are immediately smitten with each other. The closer they become, the harder it gets for Hayden to come clean. Something always seems to get in the way. When a company bankruptcy and a jilted, vindictive woman threaten to expose his charade, Hayden thinks it's all gone down the drain. Luckily Neal is ready with some innocent trickery of his own, but will their relationship survive?

High Test

From the prep area, Steffie mouthed, “Yes” and pumped her fist.


Hayden spun around so fast he lost his balance and would have fallen sideways had he not grasped the counter for support.


“Whoa,” Neal said and darted forward. He reached across the counter and grabbed Hayden’s hands firmly in his own. “I thought for sure I wouldn’t get here before you closed up, and you’d leave thinking I was one of those creeps who made a date and didn’t show.”


“I don’t think you’re a creep,” Hayden managed to say.


Neal laughed. “Good.” He looked at his watch, then turned and motioned to the door. “Do I need to wait outside or…?”


“No! Uh, I mean, it’s okay for you to wait inside. I should be done by nine thirty at the latest.”


Chapter 12