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

“Mom, am I dreaming? I must have hit my head harder than they told me,” Hayden said.


“How’re you feeling?” Hayden’s mother and Neal asked at the same time.


Hayden took in the table set with dishes holding the remains of a meal and the half-empty wineglasses. “Mom, how long have you been here?”


“My flight got in a few hours ago. You were out like a light by the time I arrived. Neal has been a lovely host.”


“I get a ton of airline miles flying to Dubai all the time and can never use them. It seemed like a worthwhile cause to spend them for your mother to fly out,” Neal said.


“I…uh…gotta…” Hayden waved toward the bathroom. “I could use a shower too.”


Neal stood at once and hurried to Hayden’s side to guide him across the suite to the bathroom. “If you need—”


Hayden caught a glance of his mother nodding with approval. Her face softened even more, and she leaned back in her chair, watching them.


Chapter 53