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

“Are you sure you don’t want to go back to your place and change?” Neal asked as he adjusted his tie and walked around the kitchen gathering phone, briefcase, and keys.


“No, I’m good. I’d rather check in there, do what I need to, then get home,” Hayden said. He was working up his nerve to ask when he would see Neal again.


“May I call you later?” Neal asked.


Hayden followed Neal to the garage. Neal nudged Hayden toward a Lexus sedan. Aside from the Aston Martin and the Lexus, there was an older pickup truck.


It seemed all too soon they were pulling up in front of the coffeehouse. Hayden breathed a silent sigh of relief when he saw the store was open and people were inside. He had no idea how he’d explain it being closed. Leaning to the side, he gave Neal a sensual kiss goodbye and squeezed his hand before getting out of the car. He stood on the sidewalk and waved as Neal drove off.


Chapter 24