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

“I need to tell you something.” There, Hayden had begun, he’d said it, and now he’d have to follow through. No stopping him and no going back.


Neal turned to him and smiled. Without warning the wind picked up and the temperature dropped. What had been gloomy clouds hanging in the sky were now black and angry. Lightning slithered through the air, and thunder repeatedly snarled. Something sharp pinged continuously off Hayden’s hands.


At the same time Neal said, “Crap. We’re going to get soaked. Come on!”


Neal snatched Hayden’s hand and gave a gentle tug. Hayden had to really stretch his legs and move quickly to keep up as they ran for the parking area and Neal’s car. Others did the same thing while workers scrambled to cover the show vehicles. Vendors made fast work of closing and securing their trucks. There was general pandemonium and chaos over the entire area.


Chapter 19