Read Online The Willingness to Burn by J. P. London - Free Book Online

the big mystery here, buddy?” Evan asked.
    “Well, I had something worth celebrating, so I figured why not celebrate with my four favorite people.” Jace grinned and looked out over the spacious floor plan to a well-suited man sitting down at a grand piano looking over some musical notes.
    “You mean three?” Maddy corrected him.
    Jace picked up his water glass and took a sip. “Well, I include myself in that list of favorite people.” Jace smiled at Maddy.
    “Uh huh,” Maddy responded.
    “And…?” Evan inquired.
    “And…,” Jace responded.
    Maddy elbowed Jace. “You can tell them or I will.”
    “All right, all right. I got a promotion today.”
    “That’s awesome, congratulations, “ Lilly said.
    “Yeah, what are you doing now?” Evan asked.
    “I’m actually managing a fund now.”
    “That’s great!”
    “Yeah, thanks.” Jace silently tapped a melody on his water glass.
    “So, uhh … What were you doing before?” Lilly asked.
    “Well, before I was an account man. So I really just meet with the people, pitch the ideas, and make sure they’re happy.” Jace took a sip of his water then continued to talk before fully swallowing. “Kinda like Pete in Mad Men.
    “Ahh gotcha,” Evan said just then fully realizing the scope of Jace’s job.
    “So now I do that, but also pick the investments.”
    “I could have sworn you did that before,” Lilly said suspiciously.
    “Yeah, kinda. I’ve been riding shotgun for a while. So I suggest things, I’ll meet with perspective recipients. But all I’ve really been doing is spectating, sorta learning the ropes, how to tell when someone’s full of shit or when an investment sounds good but doesn’t have much immediate upside. But—”Jace raised his finger “—someone else has always had the final decision.”
    “Whereas now, you get to pick?” Evan asked.
    “Yeah, I get full creative control.”
    “Wow. That’s a huge responsibility,” Lilly reasoned.
    “Yeah, I know.” Jace smiled and let out a deep breath.
    “So you went from being Pete Campbell to Don Draper.”
    Jace laughed. “Now that’s a great way to look at it.”
    The soft keys of the piano began to hum throughout the room.
    “How much are they giving you control over?” Evan asked.
    “Two hundred million.”
    “Jesus Christ!” Evan shouted.
    Maddy smiled and looked to her left then right to see if anyone else heard him. Evan, realizing that perhaps the harmonics of the dining room were working against him, looked about and expressed an embarrassed smile.
    “Yeah, it’s a relativity small fund, all things considered.”
    “Dude, that’s still amazing.”
    “Yeah I’m really happy about it. And what that also means, is increased performance incentives.” Jace grinned.
    “Good evening,” the waiter interrupted. “My name is Peter. I will be taking care of you. Can I start you off with something to drink?
    “Yes, Peter,” Jace spoke before anyone else could. “We’re going to need a bottle of Dom Pérignon to start.”
    “Certainly.”
    “Does anyone else want something different?” Jace asked.
    Evan and Lilly both shook their heads. Jace squeezed Maddy’s leg under the table.
    “I guess we really are celebrating.” Evan smiled.
    “Hey, this is low-key,” Jace said in his own defense.
    “I know, the last time you went celebrating you came back with a girlfriend.” Evan chuckled and leaned into Lilly.
    “Yeah, that is really crazy,” Maddy said. “I mean who does that?”
    Jace shot her a look and pinched her leg under the table.
    “Your story is like my favorite ‘How we met’ story,” Lilly said, looking at Maddy.
    “Oh, it’s your favorite, huh?” Evan asked with a tone.
    “My second favorite, darling.” Lilly leaned in and kissed Evan.
    Evan nodded and grinned.
    “It’s just so out of the ordinary, but it seemed to have worked out well,” Lilly said.
    “God, I know.” Maddy smiled.
    “Yeah, what were you thinking? Some strange