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

We only see

muttered, still overwhelmed. "This place is

I said, dragging her

her upstairs toward the room Gabriel

moment I opened the door and stepped aside, Jess froze in place. Her

room-Claire, this is a mini-apartment. What the

collapsing onto the couch with

stepping into a dream, running her fingers along the textured walls before peeking into the closet-then let out an actual

have all of this?" She spun around, wild-eyed. "The

sound casual, even though I was still reeling too. "Apparently Gabriel's been working

said you two weren't even speaking. So how was he building

me. He kept it hush-hush. I only found out because Jane, the housekeeper, relocated me here. My stuff was gone from the

"Oh my God. That man is in love

don't know

you a closet straight out of

"It surprised

flung the closet doors wider with a squeal. "Girl, you don't need my clothes anymore. I could live

this stuff will just sit here

ran a hand over a silk blouse. "This is why you're my best friend."

me. "So... have you

but nothing came

Jess gasped. "You haven't."

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

"Wait-what

I hesitated.

"Don't play coy. Something

"Maybe."

"Oh my God. You had sex

"No! Not exactly."

"Claire!"

cheeks heating. "Maybe...

not getting away with vague answers. Did you two kiss?

you do the

and buried my face

"Answer the question!"

didn't

"But...?"

"But... close enough."

pillow at me. "Oh my God. You did take my advice and let that man eat you Claire, who even are you?! I don't

he floated too. I

at me like I was an alien. "Who is this woman? My Claire

of temptation. And

being everyone's 'good girl.' Maybe I'm finally becoming the woman

exhaled like a proud

right. Absolutely.

fire to this apartment

he was going to scold

you keep your voice down?" I

right. Adrian. We wouldn't want

she chuckled again, then

you and Gabriel need to talk and figure all of this