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

“Oh, no, I fully agree, he’s far more handsome.” And that might’ve been the first true statement Ted had made all night.


“Ginger, we have to tell you something big,” Ryan said, all seriousness now.


“Okay…” She looked mildly confused.


“We’re engaged,” Ryan said. “Me and Teddy. And you better come to the wedding.”


Ginger looked from him to Ted. From Ted back to Ryan. And then she threw her free arm around Ryan too. “You are such naughty boys, not to tell anyone!”


“We did tell HR,” Ted pointed out, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.


Bob and Dana were easy—Dana must’ve given him a talking-to, because Bob was far less “nervous straight guy” when faced with Ryan-as-fiancé than Ted expected. Dana said she was delighted, then turned to another board member, Rhiannon Fleming, and said, “Isn’t that nice?”


Chapter 16