Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 221

Clairessa's POV

My phone buzzed.

Jess: I'm outside.

Outside? I blinked, frowning. Outside where? She never said she was coming

over.

Another ping.

Jess: At the door.

I shot upright in bed, blinking like I'd misread the screen. She was here? Now?

What the hell?

Grabbing my phone, I immediately hit call. "Jess?!"

Her voice came through the speaker, full of excitement. "Oh my God, Claire. I know I came here last night, but I didn't realize how beautiful this place was. Seeing it in the daylight? It's actually insane."

I tossed the covers off and padded toward the bedroom door, still in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

"Obviously checking on you," she replied, like it was the most natural thing in the world. "After everything with Adrian last night—and Gabriel's emotionally constipated drama-you think I'd wait around for a text? Nah. I had to make sure you were alive with my own two eyes."

"You could've at least warned me," I murmured, turning down the hall and heading to the access door. "You scared the hell out of me."

"I didn't want to give you the chance to say no,” she said with a smug little laugh. "Besides, I missed you."

"I bet," I said, still clutching the phone to my ear as the door slid open. "But I'm actually really glad you're here. I think it's a good thing you came... because with everything going on,"

I let out a sigh, "I really needed to talk to my bestie."

Jess gave a dramatic aww as soon as she saw me by the entryway.

I rushed into her hug without hesitation, and we held on tight for a second too long.

When we finally pulled apart, she blinked up at the tall ceilings and wooden floors.

"Claire..." she breathed, spinning slowly as her eyes swept across the grand hall. "This place is insane."

She turned in a full circle, awe written all over her face. "I mean, I knew Gabriel had money, but I didn't know he had movie villain estate money. This looks like the kind of place Bond villains vacation in."

I laughed. "You're doing too much."

"I'm not!" She gestured around. "The paintings, the floors, the air-it smells expensive."

"Jess," I rolled my eyes, chuckling. "Are you going to keep drooling or are you going to follow me to my room?”

"Lead on, princess," she said, falling in step behind me, still sneaking glances at the decor. "So... where's Mr. Stormy Control Freak? And the prodigal son?"

I shrugged. "Probably hiding in the west wing-or the east. Who knows. This

people. We only

she muttered, still overwhelmed. "This place

I said,

her upstairs toward the room Gabriel had

the door and stepped aside, Jess froze in

room-Claire, this

muttered, collapsing onto the couch with

her fingers along the

the fire! How do you have

was still reeling too. "Apparently

arching nearly to her hairline. "But you said you two weren't even speaking. So

it hush-hush. I only found out because Jane, the housekeeper, relocated me here. My stuff was gone from the guest room, and she brought

the closet again. "Oh my God. That man is

know about

you a closet

"It surprised

don't need my clothes anymore. I could live in

the couch. "Most of this stuff will just sit here unworn. Might as well let someone enjoy

a silk blouse.

her eyes narrowed, and she turned to me. "So... have

but nothing

Jess gasped. "You haven't."

a lot. I mean, I swore I wouldn't fall back into his arms, and then... last

"Wait-what exactly happened last

I hesitated.

pressed. "Don't play

"Maybe."

"Oh my God. You had sex

"No! Not exactly."

"Claire!"

heating.

no. You are not getting away with vague answers. Did you two

do

laughed and buried my face in

"Answer the question!"

didn't

"But...?"

"But... close enough."

and let that man eat you Claire, who even are you?! I don't

he floated too. I might've

I was an alien. "Who is this

of temptation. And now you're-what? Owning

done being everyone's 'good girl.' Maybe I'm

like a proud

Absolutely. This is

fire to this apartment

me he was going to

your

Adrian. We wouldn't want him walking in on your

my eyes, and she chuckled

really do think you and Gabriel need to talk and figure all of