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

“Tell Wally yes,” Ryan said, a certain finality in his voice. “He thinks he can fuck with us. He can’t, and we gotta show him.”


Ted groaned, but there was something charming about the way Ryan had an us-versus-them attitude about the whole affair.


Might as well let him have his way. Happy wife, happy life, or what the hell ever.


The mystery of his tearful breakdown last week stuck with Ted, though he tried to repress it. Nothing, not work, not whiskey, not a few bouts at open fencing at the rec center could chase it from his mind.


Chapter 22