Picking Up The Broken Pieces

06. MR RIGHT ~

"Then lets make this official....?"

The question lingers in the air for a moment too long before I feel I have the words to speak.

"Just to clarify, you're now my boyfriend." He grins at me whilst I lean forward and kiss him on the cheek before getting up off the sofa giddily.

"Where are you going babe?" Josh calls after me as I walk to the door, pulling on the handle. I smirk and look back at him over my shoulder.

"Just to tell my dad you'll be staying a little longer."
Before he can reply, I turn the handle opening the door. I hear my dad singing to the radio which is quietly playing and follow the noise into the kitchen. The sight before me makes me giggle uncontrollably and he turns around, grinning.

"Hey ash, I was starting to wonder where you'd got to."

"Dadddddd it's not even been that long. Look, is josh allowed to stay for tea?"

"Of course. Although I'm going out later, I'll leave some pasta in the fridge for you and josh To eat." He smiles at me, a genuine smile that stretches from one side of his face to the other.

"Oh? Where are you going to?"

"Just down the pub for a few pints with Billy. After movin to New York, I'd lost contact with him. So it was good to see him down the shop yesterday. We've both arranged to meet there." I smile at the mention of Billy, dads old work mate.

"Ah, okay sounds nice."

"Yeah, anyway, you gonna leave me in the dark about who this Josh kid is? Or you gonna spill" he chuckles and a blush creeps onto my cheeks.

"Welllll, he's my best friend, but also my boyfriend."
I manage to squeak out, uncomfortable of the fact dad was asking.

"Ohh! Well, no funny business while I'm gone then ash, I'm trusting you!" He winks at me before turning back to the fridge.

"Dadddd, did you have to bring that up!" My face now bright red, frowns at him in horror. He laughs again, a deep throaty laugh that vibrates off the kitchen walls.

"Well sweetheart, I'm just looking out for you. Now seeing as he's staying for a while, stop talking to me and go find him." I take that as my queue to leave and turn around on my head, flouncing out the door.

As I make my way back to the living room, the sound of the TV blasting out can be heard before I've even made it to the door. I push the door open only to reveal Josh intently watching 'Top Gear.' He looks up and smiles at me as I close the door.

"I missed you! What took you so long?" He asks in a whiny voice, reaching out to grab my hand before pulling me to sit on his lap.

"Sorry babe, dad was just telling me about how he's going out later." At the mention of it, Josh's right eyebrow raises, and I giggle as he turns and plants a kiss on my lips.

"Ooo so we'd be home alone eh?" He asks with a smirk on his lips.

"Yeah babe, although my dad pointed out- 'No funny business'." I impersonate my dads voice and josh laughs.

~~

After an hour or so of watching TV with josh, it's now 6pm. I hear my dads footsteps thudding down the hall, and a moment later his head pokes around the door.

"Hey you two, I've left cooked pasta in the fridge for you both if you want it later. I'm about to go out with Billy now, I'll be back by 11. What time is Josh staying till?" I turn to look at Josh, not knowing myself when he's planning on leaving considering we hadn't spoke about it.

"Does 10 sounds okay?" Josh asks, staring at my dad questioningly.

"Sure mate." And with that my dad waves a goodbye and closes the living room door.

"Is that okay with you babe? I can leave a little earlier if you like." Josh squeezes my hand, grabbing my attention.

"I'd love you to stay till 10. Sounds great." A small smile floats across my face and Josh chuckles.

"10 it is then."