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

it easy to avoid people. We only see each

overwhelmed. "This place is

said, dragging

led her upstairs toward the room Gabriel had designed for

door and stepped aside, Jess froze in place.

isn't a room-Claire, this is

I muttered, collapsing onto the couch with a

a dream, running her fingers along the textured walls before

fire! How do you have all of this?" She spun around,

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

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

Jane, the housekeeper, relocated me here. My stuff was gone from the guest room, and she

stared at me, then at the closet again. "Oh my God.

don't know

built you a closet

"It surprised me

"Girl, you don't need my clothes anymore. I could

sinking into the couch. "Most of this stuff will just sit here unworn. Might as

a silk blouse. "This is why you're my best friend." We

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

opened, but nothing came

Jess gasped. "You haven't."

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

"Wait-what

I hesitated.

"Don't

"Maybe."

"Oh my God. You had sex

"No! Not exactly."

"Claire!"

cheeks heating. "Maybe... something

getting away with vague

do the

buried my face

"Answer the question!"

we didn't

"But...?"

"But... close enough."

and threw a 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 need to

he floated too. I

stared at me like I was an alien. "Who is this

the first hint of temptation. And now you're-what? Owning your

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

exhaled like a proud

Absolutely. This is

to this apartment

Gabriel. You told me he was going to scold you. Now he's

you keep your

Adrian. We wouldn't want him

rolled my eyes, and she chuckled again, then suddenly

Gabriel need to talk and figure