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

And then, once they’d finished and waved for the check, Ryan said quite suddenly, “Thank you for this. For coming with me.”


“Thank Wally.” Then Ted frowned. “No, actually, don’t.”


Ryan smiled but leaned forward and took Ted’s hand, catching his gaze. “I mean it, though. I missed traveling. And I like it even more with you.”


Ted raised his eyebrows. “Were you getting restless?”


Ryan nodded. “I mean, sort of.” He glanced away. “After I knew Mom was in remission, I kind of just wanted to…go.”


“Partly.” Ryan frowned. “Also I just—I think I was scared. Seeing her like that. And it’s so fucked up, because the reason she didn’t call me when she found out she was sick was because she didn’t want me to see her like that, so she was right, and God, I’m the worst.”


“No.” Ted squeezed his hand and tried to catch his gaze again. “I would think that’s natural. To want to remove yourself from an overwhelming situation. To need space.”


Chapter 41