Ted MacTaggart's overbearing father is still trying to control his life, even from the grave. His will insists that, in order to inherit the family company, MAC Superior, Ted must be married by his twenty-fifth birthday -- and the marriage has to be "real." As in the board of MAC has to sign off on it.<br><br>Ted could fight the will, but then the handsome, artistic Ryan Costa, an old friend from school days walks back into his life, offering to be his groom-of-convenience. Ted draws up the contracts and Ryan, who has family medical bill problems, agrees gladly to the terms. Ted, emotionally walled off and afraid of his attraction to Ryan, also suggests they should keep their relationship strictly professional. Caring for people has always proven a weakness for him. Now isn't the time to start.<br><br>It's not long before Ryan's charm breaks through Ted's walls, but Ted isn't his own worst enemy in this case. Other forces are vying for MAC Superior, and even when their relationship is becoming the real deal, its shaky foundations land Ryan and Ted in trouble.

Poor Little Rich Boy

“How did you meet? At work?” Dante asked.


Ryan shook his head. “We grew up in the same neighborhood—mostly. Went to the same high school.”


“No. I was too socially awkward, if you can imagine.” Ted injected a heavy dose of irony there. Self-deprecation was an excellent go-to, in social situations, so long as it stayed light.


They laughed, proving his acting skills were still sharp enough.


“He totally wasn’t,” Ryan said through his chuckle. “I was just too dumb to ask him out.”


“That’s so sweet,” Amaya said. “Congratulations, you two. We could all use some good news, right now.” And her smile went a little sad.


Ted returned it, though he didn’t feel it. “Yes, I suppose that’s true.”


Amaya asked, “Are we keeping it quiet, or…?”


Ted gave him a look. “We’re not, no. Actually, who should I tell so it can spread organically? The idea of telling everyone personally is daunting.”


Chapter 15