Agreed, a deal might have been struck. If so, both would have/should have had an equal hand in the requirements and selection process.
But I`m not so sure on this - it`d be akin to buying a house with a ``live-in``, as opposed to being married - Great emotional decision, but crappy business-wise, a tangled web waiting to be walked into.
I hope I`m pleasantly surprised, but I don`t expect to be.
All JMHO
Regards