The feelings that came with meeting Dawson McAden hit Layla like a wall—a wall that she needed to tear down as soon as possible. A wall that she would refuse to acknowledge, if she could help it. But then, it was hard to ignore feeling like a flustered teenager with sweaty palms and a racing heart, especially when the last time she'd felt anything like that, she had been a flustered teenager.

Reasoning with herself started as soon as their conversation did, like a record playing in the back of her head reminding her that she was only human, and she'd have to be a rare kind of woman to never experience physical attraction. Especially to a man as tall, broad, and naturally handsome as Dawson. Something about those kind brown eyes, strong jaw, and delightfully crooked nose had done her in.

He wasn't anything like the polished celebrities she was used to seeing, or the well-dressed businessmen that filtered in and out of the office all day. His chestnut hair was tousled with a haircut that probably cost him ten dollars, his flannel was wrinkled and his jeans were torn. Clearly he hadn't bothered to shave that morning, which only added to the disheveled, not-even-trying appeal. No, she couldn't blame herself for the natural reaction. But she also couldn't let it be anything more than that. She couldn't, and she wouldn't. End of.

Kenzie showed her around the store, introduced her to her cousin Adam and explained the recent renovations, then took her on a long walk over to the new barn she'd designed with her brother Jack for weddings. It was big and bright with high ceilings, rustic beams, and down-to-earth details like mason jar lights and swaths of flowing white fabric that were draped across the room far above their heads. It was just enough to be enchanting while leaving space for every bride and groom to make it their own with centerpieces and decorations.

Layla could certainly see the appeal of getting married here. Things here seemed to move a little slower. Surrounded by the lush landscape, a couple could no doubt picture a relaxing, easy life together.

Whether anybody's life actually ended up that way, she couldn't be sure. Sometimes, it was easier to imagine it didn't. At least then, she wouldn't wonder if there was anything she could have done to end up that way herself. No, her life had been go, go, go, for as long as she could remember. All work, no play. And the few times she'd broken that rule, the few times she let herself dream of something else, she'd regretted it. She wouldn't make that mistake again.

She couldn't help thinking the barn was nothing like the venue she'd be getting married in-- not that they had one picked out yet, but between her parents and Colin's, she could only imagine the sleek, modern location they'd no doubt decide on. There would be no fairy-lights, no chalkboard signs or vases filled with wildflowers. No princess dress. It would be refined. Swanky. Sterile.

They started back the way they came, towards the store and the stunning two-story Colonial manor that sat nearby. The gentle breeze swayed the white porch swing, and rustled the leaves of the weeping willow that grazed the roof of the wraparound. Was the inside as tasteful and grand as the outside, Layla wondered? 

Kenzie had described a little about life on the orchard during their video chats, and Layla knew she'd be moving out of the main house once she was married and the work on her and Marshall's new house was finished. Layla thought she'd be lucky if her new home was even half as serene.

A bird chirped overhead as they walked under the oak tree that shaded the pond. "So it will just be Jack and Dawson living in the house once yours is built?"

Kenzie nodded. "Our parents moved to Red View once Jack and Dawson took over the business, and our older brother Cliff's been living in Amsterdam for a few years now. Feels like forever. But my parents are over a lot, and so is Adam, so I doubt the house will ever feel too empty."

"It's a beautiful house." Layla let her eyes roam the property, and briefly wondered who was responsible for the delicate gardening that surrounded the porch. "And you couldn't ask for a prettier place to live."

"If it wasn't such a haul to Red View, Marsh and I would've just had our house built here." Kenzie opened the heavy-looking wooden door for Layla. "But with his office being in town and all, it'll be easier living on the river."

As Layla stepped through the doorway, she tried not to let her eyes widen with admiration. The inside of the manor was just as gorgeous as she'd expected it to be. There were all the structural details of an old home mixed with fresh, airy decorating and the warmth that only a family could give a building. It was somehow both grand and understated.

"Anyways, that's pretty much everything! If you want a tour of the apple trees, you'll be better off asking Dawson—he's the expert."

While that was certainly an appealing idea, she couldn't let herself get caught up in it. If she could help it, she would be spending as little time around Kenzie's brother as possible.

As Kenzie closed the door behind them, the scent of garlic and onions hit Layla's nose and had her mouth watering in an instant. "It smells fantastic in here."

"Well you should thank yourself for that—it's one of the recipes you sent."

She sniffed again, and guessed it was the grilled chicken dish from Foster Fitness' most recent cookbook. It was a dish she often tried to make for herself, but cooking was not one of her stronger suits, and her apartment had never held an aroma half as pleasant as this one.

Kenzie gestured to the half-bath next to a set of closet doors. "Feel free to wash up if you want. The dining room is just down the hall."

Layla thanked her and stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind her as she pulled her phone from the pocket of her jeans. But it was silly to think she'd need to take a moment to reply to anyone, because of course, there were no texts or calls.

It wasn't as if Colin didn't know her ETA. It was as if he didn't care.

But Layla had to admit she already knew that, just like how she knew if the roles were reversed, she most likely wouldn't remember to check in with him, either. They were getting married, but they weren't lovers, apart from in the most basic sense. Worse, they weren't even friends.

It wasn't that they hated each other, or even disliked each other—no, the fact was, Layla wasn't sure they had any feelings towards each other at all.

To put it simply, they were supposed to get married. The heir of Joyful Juices and the heiress of Foster Fitness. Joyful Juice bars would be set up in every Foster Fitness gym across the country. The brands would merge and become one, encouraging health inside and out, and no doubt amounting a healthy sum of money for everyone involved.

Layla would be helping the company, just like always. And it wasn't as if she ever planned to fall in love or get married anyways, so it wasn't anything to get upset about. Her heart, she'd come to learn, was safest when it was invested in the business she'd been brought up to care about.

And Colin... she knew he'd honor the papers, the contracts, the ideas of their parents. The vows, on the other hand, were already being broken before they'd even been said. Maybe she never imagined herself this way, in a loveless, practically arranged relationship. But she knew it was safer this way, and that when it came to protecting herself from getting hurt again, she couldn't have asked for a more perfect scenario.

If she felt nothing for Colin, there was no risk, no heart on the line. Her heart's only investment was in the company. As long as she could ignore the ache for something more, that deep yearning that'd plagued her for so many years, it'd be safe.

I hope you guys love this setting as much as I do!
It's seriously so calming to write about 💚 

Also happy almost Halloween! 🎃😋 If any of you are dressing up, let me know what your costume is! I'm gonna try to do something simple--if it works out, you'll see it on my insta tomorrow lol 😉 (here's a hint: 🦈)