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, on the other hand, endured an inquisition worthy of the Spanish concerning his trips to Dubai. They wanted every tiny detail, from information about the other family members Neal had interacted with to what the board members said about this or that. Hayden sat quietly, smile plastered to his face and doing his best to be invisible. It was like listening to a soap opera, and not a very good one, unfold. Despite their appearance of ignoring Hayden, it still seemed to him that he was being judged on every move he made, even the meal he chose. What a difference from his own family, who would’ve been peppering Neal with questions about himself, his likes and dislikes, and making a general effort to get to know him and make him feel welcome.


Hayden was almost beginning to relax when the main dish was served. Apparently Neal’s parents sensed this as weakness and moved in to trap and kill him.


Chapter 55