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

to avoid people. We only see each other

overwhelmed. "This

I said, dragging

led her upstairs toward the room Gabriel had

stepped aside, Jess froze in

this is

onto the couch with a

running her fingers along the textured walls before peeking into the closet-then let out an

said everything burned in the fire! How do you have all of this?"

though I was still reeling too. "Apparently Gabriel's been working on this for a while. I only found out

hairline. "But you said you two weren't

still a little dazed. "Beats me. He kept it hush-hush. I only found out because Jane, the housekeeper, relocated me here. My

then at the closet again. "Oh my God. That man is in

don't know about

you a closet straight out of Vogue. Who does

nodded slowly. "It surprised me

doors wider with a squeal. "Girl, you don't need my clothes anymore. I

into the couch. "Most of this stuff will just sit

silk blouse. "This is

me.

mouth opened, but

Jess gasped. "You haven't."

lot. I mean, I swore I wouldn't fall back

"Wait-what exactly happened last

I hesitated.

"Don't

"Maybe."

jaw dropped. "Oh my God.

"No! Not exactly."

"Claire!"

laughed, cheeks heating. "Maybe... something

You are not getting away with

do

my face in my

"Answer the question!"

we didn't

"But...?"

"But... close enough."

take my advice and let that man eat you Claire, who even are you?! I don't need to ask how it went-I can tell you're

too. I might've returned the

was an alien. "Who is this

hint of temptation. And now

everyone's 'good girl.' Maybe I'm finally

exhaled like a

right. Absolutely. This

to this apartment

told me he was going to scold you.

your

We wouldn't want him walking in on

and she

do think you and Gabriel need to talk