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 clerk said, “Because Jeanne never smiled from the time of their engagement, King René asked his chef to create a sweet for their wedding feast that would make her happy. That’s how the calisson was created.”


“Did she smile when she tasted it?” Ryan asked, a huge smile on his own face.


“She did—and the marriage was content,” the clerk replied with a chuckle.


“We’ll take a box,” Ryan decided.


“As insurance?” Ted asked with another snort of a laugh.


“Can’t hurt, right? It worked for René.”


Another day, they lolled in the villa grounds, admiring the view of Sainte-Victoire and lazily planning a visit there tomorrow—or eventually, anyhow. The three little King Charles spaniels came to sit on their picnic blanket, waiting for them to drop some of their lunch.


Ryan leaned back on his hands and said, “See if you can get an olive in my mouth.” He opened wide.


Chapter 42