Betting on Bailey

“They had no specifics. How many restaurants were they thinking of opening? I have no idea. Will they be pricing to compete with Ruth’s Chris or with The Cheesecake Factory? Guess what? I don’t know.”

“Stop it.” Juliette holds up an irritated hand. “This was an initial meeting. You heard them. They’ll get you specifics.”

“And signing the letter of intent? Are you fucking kidding me?”

“Yeah, that was out of line,” she admits. “I warned them that you wouldn’t sign anything. But about the rest of it, I think you are expecting too much too soon.”

“I disagree. Daniel always has details. These guys just weren’t prepared.”

“For fuck’s sake, not Daniel again.” Her voice is thick with exasperation. “Damn it, Sebastian. Have you ever wondered why Daniel doesn’t like this deal? Maybe he’s happy being the only billionaire in the room. You ever think of that?”

I can only shake my head in disbelief. “Not even for an instant. I’ve known Daniel all my adult life, Juliette. You could not be more wrong in your assessment.”

If she’s flustered, she doesn’t show it. “This is an amazing opportunity,” she says again. “It’s my job as your business adviser to bring in these deals.”

“Then do your job. Make sure they have facts and figures the next time we meet. Because Ben’s fucking imploding, and I don’t have time to deal with this bullshit. That’s what I hire you for.”

“You seem to have plenty of time for some things,” she mutters sullenly under her breath. I’d stop to ask her what the fuck she’s talking about, but my phone chimes. It’s finally Ben. I pick up the line, preparing to give him a piece of my mind.

She stalks away to her car, and I let her. I don’t have time to deal with Juliette right now. I’m too busy fighting other fires.

24

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.

Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Daniel:

“Mr. Hartman is in your office,” my assistant Sophie tells me as I walk into work Tuesday morning.

I frown. My calendar’s booked solid for the whole morning, which means that Cyrus high-handedly bumped someone. “Who got displaced?” I ask Sophie as I hang up my coat on the hanger and pour myself a cup of coffee from the pot she keeps in the area outside my office.

“Marketing. I can reschedule them to this evening, if you’d like?”

What I’d like to do is see Bailey again this evening, but I nod instead at Sophie. “Sounds good,” I tell her. “And Sophie, don’t let Cyrus bump people again, okay? It’s rude and disrespectful.”

“Yes Sir,” she says. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not blaming you,” I tell her. “I know how Cyrus can be. Just don’t let it happen again.”

I’m more than a little irritated. Ryan Communications hasn’t yet accepted our offer, and they are trying to drag the deal out by nitpicking on a hundred little things. Cyrus spent all weekend in Kansas, playing golf and schmoozing the guys on their board. He better have results for me.

“I thought I told you not to ride roughshod on Sophie,” I bite out as I walk in.

He waves his hand. “Forget about your secretary,” he says. “I thought you’d want a status update from Kansas City.”

I settle down on my chair and lean back, glaring at him. This fucking deal. If I was managing it, I’d tell Ryan Communications to accept our bid or we walk. But for some reason, Cyrus isn’t willing to do that. “So give me one,” I tell him.

“I talked to Brant Hollister,” he starts. “You know him? He’s the chairman of their board.”

“Yes, I’m quite aware of who the crucial players are in this deal, Cyrus, thank you.” I don’t hold back the sarcasm. “What did Hollister have to say? When’s the deal coming up for a vote?”

“They want guarantees.”

“What kind?”

He avoids my gaze. “Since some of the payment is in Hartman stock, they want some guarantees on leadership. They don’t think you are taking being the CEO of Hartman seriously enough.”