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

Ted had been holding back eye rolls all night, but he couldn’t contain this one. He gave a glorious, obvious, fuck-you eye roll to his brother. “Go home, Wally. You’re drunk.” He turned, taking Ryan’s arm.


Ted turned back, frowning. What new ridiculousness was this? “The South Park house? If you want it, all right.”


The boy who no one had ever told no was suspicious of a yes? Really? Ted laughed dryly. “What will I do with it? Fill it with children?”


“Just like that?” Wally shook his head. “You’ll sell?”


“Absolutely.” It’d be a relief to get rid of the responsibility for the old place. It could go to hell for all Ted cared. “Have Mitcham draw something up.”


“I…will, then,” Wally said slowly.


Ryan gave Ted’s shoulder a little shake. “Okay, this is getting ridic—”


Chapter 17