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

“Maeve…” Neal’s voice sounded like a warning.


“There isn’t a Hayden recorded on the list of professors in the automotive design department.” She leaned forward and rested her elbow on the table and her chin against her knuckles.


“I…uh…I’m not on the faculty. I simply work with the students.” Hayden wanted to turn his gaze to Neal, but at the same time he was terrified he’d be met with disapproval and disappointment. Besides, he didn’t want to appear as if he needed defending.


“You’ve never heard of volunteering?” Neal’s voice was terse, close to snapping at Maeve. “Whatever you think, you’re wrong.”


Warning sirens went off in Hayden’s head. That was an odd thing for Neal to say. “It’s okay,” Hayden said softly.


Chapter 27