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

“Uh, his everyday car—a Lexus—his Aston Martin, and there was a pickup truck. Red.”


“Yeah, there aren’t many of those around,” Rick said and grinned. “Why would he be driving around this neighborhood anyway?” He paused for a few seconds, then shrugged and said, “Hey, uh, I’m fed up with where I live. How about I move in with you?”


“That’s not an answer, and so what? I still have money for groceries and rent coming in.” Rick glanced sideways at Hayden for a second. “Give it some thought. You’re still going to Neal’s thing Friday night, aren’t you?”


“Oh yeah,” Hayden said. “No reason not to, and skipping it won’t change a thing. Neal sounded so happy when I said I’d go. No matter what, I need to set the record straight with him, really make him understand. Besides I promised to be there, and that needs to be worth something.”


Once they arrived at the college, Rick left Hayden at the financial aid office.


Chapter 32