The Arrangement | Completed | Wattys2020

55

"Mom, dinner looks amazing." Garret says, taking a seat at the table. The big table is now filled with multiple people. Most of which I know, but some I haven't met.

"Yeah, everything looks great. Thanks you guys." Matty smiles at the two of the women, still being as polite as ever.

"Now that all of the family is here, we would like to introduce you to Matty's girlfriend. Everyone, this is Candace." Lizzie says, using her hand to gesture towards me. All eyes are on me immediately, and I feel really intimidated. I see Dee and Johnny at the end of the table. Garret has a seat next to Dee, and there a girl around my age sitting with him. Across from them are two others. A bigger man with a beard sitting next to a middle ages woman who cocks her brow towards me.

"Candace, you've already met Dee, Johnny and Garret. This is their daughter, Gwen. Across from them is Daniel's brother, Ricky. Oh, and we can't forget about his wife, Gill. They will all be staying with us for the next week. This is going to be so much fun! I am so glad we were able to do this." Lizzie said excitedly. It's hard to tell if she's being sarcastic or not. I'm going to assume that she is only because of what she said when we first arrived at the house.

Matty's cousin Gwen stares at me with curiosity. I try my best to avert my eyes elsewhere, but it's kind of hard. I can practically feel them burning a hole through me.

"So, Candace. How did you meet Matty?" Gwen asks me.

"Oh, we.."

"They met through me. I knew Candace from work. She used to be at the country club I went to." Daniel said, interrupting me. He gives me a quick glance but keeps his composure nicely. I'm glad he told the lie and I didn't.

"How long have you two been together?" Ricky asks, taking a sip from his water on the table.

"We've been together for a few months now." Matty answers for me.

"So Candace, what do you do for a living?" Dee asks, smiling widely at me.

What do I do for a living? I'm only twenty. I don't have a career, if that's what she's asking. I am no where near as successful as these people. Not even close. "I am a waitress in Vancouver." I say. "It's actually kind of funny. I met Matty earlier in the diner the same day Daniel introduced us. I just didn't know it was him." I laugh.

"I didn't know that." Lizzie said with a smile.

"Yeah, she practically ended my life when I left her the tip. Thank God I didn't try and leave my number with it." Matty teases, squeezing my thigh.

"A waitress? Oh lord, I remember when I was a waitress. It was probably...high school? Such dreadful work." Dee laughs, taking a bite of the food on her plate. I didn't even notice that everyone had already gotten their plates prepared, while I stay frozen in my seat. I'm honestly too nervous to ask for any of them to pass me the food. Matty seems to notice this and grabs my plate. He piles a little bit of everything on it and then hands it back to me with a smile.

"It's not too bad. I enjoy it." I admit.

"Oh, so that's all you do?" Gwen asks with a slight snicker. I look over and see her giving me a look that tells me that I am pathetic in her eyes.

"At least she has a job, Gwen. You haven't gotten off your ass in the last three years." Garret laughs, defending me. I smile over to him thankfully and he winks. Matty clearly tenses in his seat, seeing the entire exchange.

"Okay, well I have been in college for the last three years. Which is more than what you can say." Gwen says, rolling her eyes.

"You know, Candace is also a full time student. She's studying business." Lizzie tells the table.