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

Neal heaved a sigh, rolled his eyes, and stood up. “Whoever it is, I’ll get rid of them.”


He crossed the room, wearing a decidedly irritated expression. When he opened the door, Maeve shoved by him and into the suite.


“What are you doing?” Neal snapped.


“You need to see this.” Maeve slapped an envelope against Neal’s chest, then pointed a finger at Hayden. “I don’t know what you’re playing at young man, but you are not Frank and Lilia Owens’s son. They don’t even have a son.” She turned back to Neal. “It’s all in there. You need to read it.”


“Maeve whatever you think you’re doing, you’re wrong,” Neal growled at her. “I’m calling security to remove you from this hotel.” He turned far enough to look at Hayden.


Panic surged through Hayden. Neal would never believe him now. Hayden scrambled out of his chair, grabbed the garment bag, and slung it over his shoulder. “Neal, I—”


“The only thing this little tramp is after is your money,” Maeve snarled.


Chapter 42