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 love this dog!” Echo shouted, giggling on the ground still as Betsy licked their face with abandon.


Good, maybe Betsy would get it out of her system with them and spare Ted the drool.


“Well, you know what Shakespeare said. All’s well that ends well,” Ryan pointed out.


“I’ll drink to that,” Wally said, raising his can.


It was the first birthday party Ted had in—well, as long as he could remember. And it was a good way to start.Epilogue


“To Teddy, on his twenty-sixth birthday!” Wally raised his glass.


Echo raised theirs, clinking with their new girlfriend to their right. The girlfriend, called Monique, was tall, modelesque, and Buddhist. Ted was happy for Echo.


Ted was happy for a lot of things, lately.


Chapter 56