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

Nodding, Hayden gave him a small smile. “You bet. I’m only scheduled until three this morning.” He turned to leave, but Neal tightened his grip on Hayden’s hand and pulled him in to kiss him on the lips. Hayden nearly laughed from the huffing and grumbling from Neal’s parents.


Walking calmly instead of bolting from the hotel restaurant took every bit of self-control Hayden possessed. Once he was changed into his work clothes, Hayden went back down to the hotel laundry for his shift. As he went about his assigned tasks, he replayed the last few hours over in his mind and wondered, not for the first time, if maybe Neal’s parents were right. Possibly his and Neal’s worlds were too far apart and they shouldn’t be together. Though neither of the elder Kirchners had come out and said it, clearly that’s what they thought.


Chapter 56