Simon nodded thoughtfully, dropped his napkin on his plate, and added one more term to their agreement, “just to prove we’re both serious men.” If Ian failed to make repayment within a year, Simon would take a 20 percent ownership stake in Grape and Barley Incorporated, cementing his role in Ian and Andi’s future indefinitely. Timing was everything, and Simon was a shrewd negotiator: After saying yes, how do you say no?
