Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Clairessa's POV

Jess's whole posture shifted. She went still, lips pressing into a tight line. "What about him?"

I glanced up, helpless. "He said he misses me. That he wants me back."

Jess gasped like I'd just told her I was secretly royalty. "I'm sorry-what?!" She scooted closer, practically bouncing. "You are not about to drop that bomb and leave me hanging. Spill. Every. Detail."

So I did.

I told her everything.

About the conversation in his office.

The way he looked at me.

His apology.

His confession.

How his words made my heart stutter-even though I hated that they did.

How I walked out.

And now? I didn't even know what the hell I felt anymore.

Jess leaned back slowly, folding her arms. "Damn. That man never does anything halfway, does he?"

"Tell me about it."

She gently massaged my legs, eyes thoughtful. "So... what do you want to do?"

I swallowed hard. "I don't know. My emotions are spiraling. It's like I can't even tell what's real anymore. I want to say I'm over him—that I'm done. But it's not that simple."

Jess gave me a knowing look. "You're scared."

"I'm furious," I shot back. "He thinks he can just walk back into my life because he suddenly decided he feels something again? He pushed me away. Made me feel like I had to grovel for forgiveness over one lie-one stupid lie I told because I was terrified of losing him. He made me feel like I was nothing. So no, he doesn't just get to say 'I want you back' and expect a damn parade."

Jess held up her hands. "Okay, okay. I'm on your side. But... just to play devil's advocate-imagine finding out the woman you've been falling for, the one you're building a future with, turns out to be your son's ex. And you had no idea. That's a pretty insane place to be stuck in. And from what you've told me, Adrian's still in the picture—still chasing after you. That just makes it even messier. Maybe Gabriel panicked. Maybe he wasn't strong enough to fight his own son over you. Either way... he made his choice. And it wasn't you."

I turned toward her, narrowing my eyes.

"So... you're justifying his actions? Are you saying I'm the one in the wrong here?" "C'mon, Claire, I never said that."

She lifted her hands again, but I cut her off with a look.

"Then what exactly are you saying?"

"I'm saying maybe just maybe you could try seeing it from his side. When you were with him, you always said how much he cared. I saw it too. So maybe... we don't have to write him off completely over one mistake."

"Oh, Jess," I let out a fake, dramatic squeal, wiping imaginary tears.

"I came here because I needed you on my side-not defending Gabriel. I need

you to stand with me so we can officially board the Gabriel hate train with snacks and zero regrets."

Jess made a face, then smiled.

"You're right.

yeah, we hate

she switched sides, then came

a bastard," she

formed a dramatic aha. "See? You're defending

I also

playful shrug. "Defend him? Nah. I'm just trying to be... you

Gabriel's nothing

She winked.

"I hear you, girl.

a Greek god, billionaire

mind-blowing orgasms. They just don't make 'em

so."

a laugh as

up... just once... and then curse him

"Jess... you are unsavable."

but my mind drifted, uninvited, back to that moment-how we'd almost

much I

it

head,

emotional wreck, and I think I

"Don't say

"Yas!" she squealed.

"Shots! We're going clubbing."

I blinked. "What?"

already on

yesterday, this new

one of my pieces for some ridiculous, way-overpriced amount. Then he gave me his card, said he knows this insanely rich art investor who's looking to build a new collection. The investor's throwing a party at his loft, and Marco sent me a

"He told me to call him when I got there so he could bring me over to meet the guy. I was debating whether to go, maybe pitch myself... but after everything you just told me? We're going.

let out

because you need a plus one to charm some wealthy art

"Okay, fine, maybe a little bit for me. But mostly for you. You need a night

lips. "The

Gabriel-get under another man. And this is a high-profile

"Fine. But I'm only saying yes because I don't have a choice. And if I end up

winked and

I blinked. "What?"

"Your phone."

reluctantly handed it over. Jess took it without a word, powered it

flashed a grin. "Tonight, it's just

smiled, the weight on my

gathering in a sleek, spacious

execs and underground artists mingled over

guests, tops. The vibe was calm-almost too calm. Thank God for that, because I wasn't ready for pounding music or sweaty strangers

as we walked in, and it wasn't just the men checking us out; even some of the women gave us a once-over. I felt

We were definitely overdressed.

a silk cutout dress that hugged every curve, paired with a bold red

that demanded attention.

done my

soft rose lip-and

more "tame" options. It was still a little too revealing for my usual taste, but classy enough: a black glittery