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

The door to Hayden’s room opened again, and Steffie rushed in. “I leave you two alone for a few hours and this is what happens?” She smiled at Neal. “Hi. I remember you from the coffee shop. Steffie Blye.”


Neal shook her hand and nodded. “I remember you. Neal Kirchner.”


“Hayden was hovering too close to the tow truck watching his car being loaded,” Rick explained.


“Yeah, he’s fine. More worried about his car than his head,” Steffie said. She walked to the other side of the bed and leaned in to give Hayden a kiss on his forehead.


Doctor Somebody entered shortly after Steffie. “All of you can’t stay. Mr. Owens needs to rest. I’ll probably send him home tomorrow morning.” The doctor made a shooing motion with both hands.


“We left our numbers at the nurses’ desk,” Steffie said. She waved as she and Rick walked to the door. “Need a ride, Rick?”


Chapter 52