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

“I am.” Ryan went back to straightening his tie. “I know I’m gonna trip and fall or something while we’re heading down the aisle.”


“You two are gross.” Wally stepped up and held out an envelope to Ted.


Ted took it but eyed it suspiciously. “What’s this?”


“Echo told me you weren’t planning a honeymoon. Gonna stay here and prep for the whole hand-off thing,” Wally said.


Ted frowned at the envelope. It was fancy, long, embossed with Wally’s initials.


Ryan left the mirror and came to Ted’s side, leaning over. He smelled of delightful aftershave. Perhaps avoiding him as much as possible for a long period of time hadn’t been a wonderful idea; now he was even more distracting. Ted opened the envelope and pulled out a pair of tickets…to Marseilles, France. Tomorrow.


He lifted his gaze to Wally, asking a silent question.


Chapter 31