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

Hayden I’m so sorry. Member of the board of my family’s business died very suddenly. Big mess. Emergency trip to Dubai. Sounds better than it is. With time zones I haven’t been able to call. Dinner Sunday? Pick you up at 7?


Without thinking it through, Hayden messaged back, Yes. Looking forward to seeing you.


“Oh shit, Steffie, I said yes to dinner.”


Steffie turned and looked at him, eyes narrowed. “Wasn’t that what you wanted?”


“He can’t pick me up. I have to—”


“Yes, you do, but face-to-face. Hayden, trust me. He’s into you, and you haven’t done anything horrible. Simply make up an excuse to meet. Or better yet Rick can drive you. You’re a hip, young guy. Tell him you take one of those services. And you know Rick will love doing that.”


For the next few days, Hayden ran scenario after scenario in his head, planning how telling Neal the truth about who he was would go.6


Chapter 25