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 mean to make peace with Wally—but he has to take responsibility. And he can’t keep behaving like this,” Ted said with a sigh.


“I want to say Race would be proud of you…”


“But Race wouldn’t give a shit, I know. I do, though, as it turns out.” Ted snorted. “Do you think Wally could handle the charitable end of things for the family?”


“The MacTaggart Trust?” Echo’s brow furrowed in thought. “Yeah, actually. Though I wouldn’t give him full control.”


“No. Just oversight. I’d still have final say on what we supported. I’d be afraid he’d pull support from Dayton Pride just to fuck with me, otherwise. But apart from that, it’d be good for him to have to think about others in need.”


Echo rolled their eyes. “I’m glad you have someone to blame your kind impulses on now, Ted. That’ll save you a lot of trouble.”


Chapter 49