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

The ceremony was brief. No religion, just a few questions that served as vows they had no real intention of honoring. Ted spent most of the time admiring the excellent job Echo and the wedding planner had done with the decor in such a short span of time.


Then it was over, and Ryan leaned in to kiss him, and Ted automatically kissed him back, reaching up to grab for his lapel. Ryan smiled into the kiss, then pressed his forehead to Ted’s as people clapped.


Ted smiled, too. He realized that Ryan was happy, and that made him happy, and his mind had mercy and stopped questioning everything for one blessed moment. Ted kissed him again on impulse


Ryan put an arm around him and squeezed, then barely brushed the tip of his tongue over the connection between their bottom lips. Ted gave a little shiver.


Someone in the crowd whistled. Everyone laughed.


Chapter 32