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

When Neal released him, Hayden glanced down, flushed, and then smiled softly as he lifted his gaze to meet Neal’s again. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Thank you for dinner.”


“Thank you,” Neal murmured. He turned and left but glanced over his shoulder a few times and waved before disappearing around the corner.


Hayden got in, laid his phone on the seat next to him, and started the car. He was halfway home when a text came in, Neal’s home and work address. Warmth spread through Hayden when he glanced down and saw a picture of a classic Chevy and a red rose in the next text.4


Chapter 16