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

He made his excuses to the dinner party, saying there was a family emergency but nothing too dire, and they should continue to enjoy the food and drinks—and be sure to try the dessert menu. Ryan kissed him in front of everyone and promised to hold down the fort. Then he whispered into Ted’s ear, “Call me if you need me there. But I got this.”


It made Ted’s chest go tight. Another thing he couldn’t pause to consider, just then.


He walked the one block to Toxic and immediately spotted Wally in the sitting area just off to the left. The table he was half-under was covered in empty cups—they’d been drinking the draft cocktails, not just the beer. Ted, having spent many an evening with Toxic’s divine barrel-aged Manhattans, knew just how dangerous that was.


Chapter 50