The Hedge End Tribune
The Bachelor Best Men: Why Manhattan’s Most Eligible Bachelors Are Staying Single
By: Caroline Vance, Society Editor
Date: July 1, 2026
Location: The Boardroom at Oath Capital, Park Avenue
Editor’s Note: Now that Ronan Wilder is officially off the market, everyone in Manhattan is playing the same guessing game: Who will be the next to fall?
This morning, we sat down in the offices of Oath Capital to corner the city’s favorite remaining bachelors—Gabriel Sterling and Knox Knightly. We wanted to know if either of them is ready to settle down, but they brought plenty of excuses.
The Interview
THE TRIBUNE: Gentlemen, now that Ronan is married, the spotlight is right on the two of you. Let’s get straight to it: why are you both still single?
STERLING: (With a polite, practiced smile) It’s a matter of focus and timing. Building a business like Oath Capital takes complete dedication and a lot of long hours. Right now, a relationship just doesn’t fit into the plan.
KNIGHTLY: (Leaning back with a smirk) Translation: Gabriel runs his personal life like a business meeting. As for me? I like my freedom, good whiskey, and keeping things simple. If your life isn’t broken, why try to fix it?
THE TRIBUNE: Fair enough. But let’s say you did go out. What does the perfect date look like to you?
STERLING: (Thoughtful, pausing for a moment) Good planning. A reservation at a quiet, excellent restaurant where the service is great, and there are absolutely no surprises. When everything goes smoothly, you can actually focus on the person across from you.
KNIGHTLY: (Snorts) Gabriel’s idea of a perfect date involves a strict schedule and a timeline. It feels more like a job interview. For me? The perfect date is anyone who doesn’t give me an attitude within thirty seconds of meeting me. Someone who can appreciate the finer things and keep things fun is a great start.
THE TRIBUNE: Is there anyone special out there from your past—or maybe your present—who could actually change your mind about staying single?
STERLING: (His expression turns serious.) The past is in the past. When you’re young, you make practical choices because you think they’re safe. There’s no point in looking backward.
KNIGHTLY: (Leaning forward, his smirk widening) Don’t look at me—I am completely safe. Though I have to say, watching Gabriel lately has been interesting. He claims he’s not interested in romance, but he’s been looking pretty distracted in our recent meetings.
STERLING: (Giving his partner a cold glare) My mind is completely on my work, Knightly.
KNIGHTLY: Sure it is. Well, let the record show that I am definitely going to be the last man standing. No one is changing my mind anytime soon.
Editor’s Note: Will Gabriel stick to his strict rules, or is his quiet life about to get turned upside down? Find out in Trusting Mr. Sterling by Kelly Collins, out on Tuesday! And get ready, because Knox Knightly’s bachelor days are numbered next in Tempting Mr. Knightly.
Curious about Trusting Mr. Sterling? Find out more below!
A second chance billionaire romance where the man who broke her heart is the one who never stopped wanting her back.
She dropped a tray of champagne flutes.He said her name like it mattered.Eighteen years of distance—gone in a breath.
Tessa Thorne built her catering empire the hard way—one event, one employee, one paid-off bill at a time. She has no interest in revisiting the past. Certainly not in the form of Gabriel Sterling, the boy who shattered her heart at eighteen.
Gabriel has everything: a billion-dollar empire and a signed oath with his two best friends swearing love has no place in it. He’s spent years choosing control over connection. But the moment Tessa walks back into his life, his rules feel less like protection and more like punishment.
She still looks at him like she knows exactly who he is—and hasn’t decided if she forgives him.
He pursues her with the same precision he applies to every deal. She keeps her guard up for exactly as long as she can. But somewhere between second chances and long-buried secrets, the line blurs.
Can a woman who survived on self-reliance trust the man who first taught her heartbreak? Or will the secret Gabriel has been keeping prove that some people never stop choosing fear over love?
Some promises keep you safe. Others set you free.
Emotional, swoony, and deeply satisfying—Trusting Mr. Sterling is a standalone billionaire romance for readers who believe the best love stories are the ones that get a second chapter.
Perfect for readers who love:– Second chance romance with real emotional stakes– Self-made heroines and billionaires who fall hard– Slow-burn tension and long-buried secrets– Opposites attract with a swoon-worthy payoff
Preorder here: https://books2read.com/u/m2gBld
Meet Kelly Collins:
Kelly Collins is a bestselling, award-winning author of feel-good small-town romance filled with heart, heat, and happily-ever-afters. Her books are perfect for readers who crave heartwarming contemporary love stories, sassy heroines, and slow-burn romances with cinnamon roll heroes you’ll wish were real. With humor, charm, and emotional depth, Kelly brings to life tight-knit towns, unforgettable characters, and the kind of love that feels like coming home. When she’s not plotting her next happily-ever-after, she’s sipping strong coffee and dreaming up heroes who are tough on the outside and gooey in the middle.
You can find Kelly on her website, as well as her Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Bookbub. And make sure to follow her newsletter, found on her website.
