His First Christmas: The Lonely Billionaire - A Heart-Warming Romance Novel by Holly Rayner, Lara Hunter

act, Jason. I’m sure everyone would appreciate you—”
     
    “Being myself?” he teased.
     
    Anna crossed her arms and smiled. “ Yes, Jason. Sometimes clichés have wisdom, you know.”
     
    “That’s true,” Jason allowed. Noticing Anna’s cup was empty, he said, “Want a refill?”
     
    “Sure,” Anna said, handing Jason her cup before he headed back into the kitchen.
     
    She hadn’t been expecting such honest conversation so early in the morning. Certainly not while sober, anyway. Their frank discourse was refreshing: something more real than water cooler talk. It was something she’d been missing.
     
    Jason came back with the two refilled mugs, passing one to Anna.
     
    “Do you mind talking to me about…how you felt about taking over the family business?” she asked.
     
    He pondered the question for a moment before replying. “Well at first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take on the role. I didn’t have a great impression of Hawthorne Estates…after seeing first-hand how much the work consumed my parents. But when I actually learned what the role entailed, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It really is an art—making deals, negotiating, and keeping relationships with clients and developers.”
     
    “I agree. So many of my friends thought I was on my way to become a corporate cog,” Anna added enthusiastically, “but I really love what I do, too.”
     
    “Ah. I’m glad to hear you enjoy working at the company, Anna,” Jason said dutifully. Anna bowed mock-graciously in response.
     
    “And how are you finding Seattle, so far?”
     
    Ah. His turn to ask probing questions. Anna smiled politely. “So far…” she mused. “I’ve been here for half a year, almost. Practically a local,” she said. She looked down into her coffee, a polite smile still plastered on her face.
     
    “That may be the case. But you didn’t really answer the question,” Jason pointed out.
     
    Anna replied reluctantly, “Ah, well, you know… Coffee. Meg Ryan. Seahawks. Nature. Prime real estate. All that.”
     
    Jason gave her a look that clearly conveyed his dissatisfaction with her superficial answer.
     
    He’s been so honest with me, I might as well reciprocate, she thought, conceding Jason’s unspoken point.
     
    For the first time in months, Anna forced herself to put down her defenses. She sighed. “To be frank…it’s a great city, but I’m kind of finding it hard to find my niche. I…thought I would be perfectly adjusted by now, but I still don’t feel like I really belong,” she said, pursing her lips. 
     
    “I’m surprised you feel that way, Anna,” Jason replied. “You’re certainly a great fit at the company.”
     
    “Yes, and I’m glad for that. It’s just everything else that’s the problem, I guess,” she said, smiling wanly. “I think I maybe work too hard so as to distract myself.”
     
    Jason nodded knowingly. “Yeah, I can understand that.” He looked at her carefully. “But I wouldn’t worry about it too much, Anna. Someone like you…it’s only a matter of time before people start flocking to you.”
     
    “Thanks,” she said warmly. She was slowly becoming less shocked to receive compliments from Scrooge. She looked around the cabin, trying to avoid staring at Jason again. “So…have you ever sold a house yourself?” she asked. Jason shook his head.
     
    “Oh, well that’s my favorite part of the job, hands down. There’s nothing like the look on someone’s face when they land their dream home,” Anna said wistfully.
     
    Jason regarded Anna carefully. “You really are a big-hearted unicorn,” he said.
     
    “Now, that’s something I haven’t been called before,” she said, amused.
     
    “I mean that in a good way! Maybe I should try selling a house sometime… I might learn something valuable from it,” he mused. Anna couldn’t help but feel pleased at the compliment, strange as it was.
     
    Jason took a sip of coffee.