Page 1 of Hard to Get

1

STELLA

Even on a soggy, gloomy day like this, the view out the floor-to-ceiling windows of our boardroom in downtown Vancouver is beautiful.

Today, the panorama of the waterfront, harbour and North Shore mountains is like a watercolour painting, the sharply carved peaks of the mountains shrouded with clouds in shades of charcoal, smoke and silver, the water of the harbour a flat slate grey.

“I’ve done some preliminary research.” Adam taps on the open laptop on the table, drawing my attention back to him. Adam is the acquisitions consultant my business partner Troy and I retained to help us find another company to acquire. “We’re looking for profitability, positive cash flow, low levels of debt, and an experienced management team. We also consider company culture, brand value, and customer loyalty.”

I tip my head. “Company culture.” I’m glad he said that. That’s important to me.

Adam nods. “A company’s culture is the shared values, goals, attitudes and initiatives that characterize an organization. It sets the tone for how managers lead employees and shapes the overall philosophy of the workplace.”

Did he really just mansplain corporate culture to me? I pull in a slow breath through my nose. “Oh hey, it’s great you know that. Good job, Adam!”

Adam freezes, his eyebrows snapping together. He eyes me suspiciously, then mutters, “Thank you.”

I think I hear a soft snorting noise from Troy.

Adam takes us through the list of potential target businesses, giving us a high-level rundown on each. “Since the legalization of single-game sports betting, there’s been a surge in companies that provide sports betting, data, and analytics services in Canada, including international companies.”

I stroke the smooth wild maple top of the boardroom table, custom made for us from a twisted, gnarled piece of maple, as I listen. I hate sports betting. I know there’s growth there, but I don’t want to do it. This is a heated discussion between Troy and me right now.

“These companies offer real-time data feeds, predictive analytics, in-play wagering, and odds management.”

“Which fits in perfectly with the kinds of services and products we already offer,” Troy says.

He’s not wrong. I still don’t like it. But I keep my expression bland for the rest of the meeting.

After Adam has been shown out, Troy and I stay in the boardroom with the door shut. Our employees can see us through the glass windows of the room but can’t hear us.

“I’m not sure if this is a good move.” I fold my arms on the table and lean forward. “There are risks acquiring another company.”

“Of course there are risks. But buying another business gives us immediate access to cash flow, customers, existing infrastructure. And it’s a lot quicker than starting from scratch.”

“We are not starting from scratch with betting.” I frown.

“Then this is our only option.”

Is it? I give him a narrow-eyed look. “You know my feelings about gambling.”

“Yeah.” He leans back in his chair. “I know. But it’s business.”

“What about the initial investment this is going to take? It’s going to be a fuckload of money.” I’m always the one who’s hesitant about spending money.

He laughs. “We’ll have no problem getting financing.”

“Merging two different business cultures can be complicated.”

“That’s why we have Adam doing the research.” He grins. “By the way, that was smooth when he was mansplaining to you.”

I can’t help but grin back. “Thanks. I trust him, but that annoys me.”

“Oh, I know it. Some of us just can’t help it.”

“You’ve learned over the years.”

He laughs. “Yeah, thanks to you.”