by Amiee Smith
STRANGELY AMAZING
a novella
Amiee Smith
Copyright
Copyright © 2018 by Amiee Smith
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a review. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
www.amieesmith.com
For ambitious women everywhere.
We need you now more than ever.
Come in. Relax.
Welcome to the world of the Smart Girl Mafia.
Hot men.
Nerdy. Geeky. Weirdo. Women.
Stay awhile.
Previously in the
Smart Girl Mafia Series
Break Free
Smart Girl Mafia Series, Book One
Lynn Scott
You know that super-hot guy from high school? The jock. The popular guy.
The one you fantasized about when you were supposed to be studying.
The ex-Olympic water polo player you expect to be married in his thirties to an ex-beauty queen and driving around Los Angeles in a Mercedes SUV full of kids.
The man who could never be as smart and fun as you.
The guy who is not supposed to ask you to hook-up during a party. (Correction: He commanded.)
That’s Nick Willingham.
Even in my thirties with a thriving career, a great home, awesome friends, and a very green, holistic lifestyle, I still check the box: nerd.
And in what world does a nerd end up with the hot guy?
Nick Willingham
Lynn Scott is the woman who is not supposed to say yes.
The shy, polite writer who lives in San Francisco.
The woman you expect to be married or waiting for some man to choose her.
Yeah, that’s not Lynn.
And I want her.
I want whatever happy ending her brilliantly dirty mind and perfect mouth wants to create.
She’s decided that our thing is just a hook-up with an expiration date less than that of her favorite fresh-pressed green juice.
Lucky for me, I like to win.
But am I willing to take a wrecking ball to my meticulously handcrafted life to win her?
Purchase your copy here or wherever you buy books.
MONDAY
Monday, 3:44 p.m.
415-826-8496: Hi Michael. This is Lilly Shepard. Hope it’s not weird I’m texting you. Your number was on the delivery card. I’m Lynn’s tenant. She’s out of town so I accepted the flowers and donuts. She said I could keep them. It seemed appropriate to drop a text of appreciation. Thank you.
Monday, 3:46 p.m.
310-574-1818: Where is Lynn? Thank you for receiving the delivery.
Monday, 3:46 p.m.
415-826-8496: In L.A. She said she would reach out to you.
◆◆◆
Monday, 10:55 p.m.
310-574-1818: Hi Lilly. It’s Michael Ahmed. Lynn showed me the selfie you took with the roses. My apologies. I did not realize they would take up so much space in your flat. If you change your mind about keeping them, please call me and I will have them removed. PS: You are very beautiful.
Monday, 10:56 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: The roses will probably trigger my allergies, but they are too beautiful to discard. PS: Thanks... I guess.
Monday, 10:57 p.m.
310-574-1818: Nice to hear from you. How was your day, beautiful Lilly? (Other than 1001 roses taking over your apartment.) PS: I want to get to know you.
Monday, 10:58 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: Fine. Slept mostly. I did an overnight shift at work yesterday. How was your day? (Other than sending tons of roses and donuts to a woman who is out of town.) PS: Why do you want to know me?
Monday, 10:59 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: My day went well. A few meetings. Lynn told me you work at Genentech. What do you do there? Why overnight on a Sunday? PS: I like a beautiful woman who plays Xbox.
Monday, 11:02 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: I’m a per diem scientist. Medicinal chemistry strategies for emerging treatments. I work a few 12-hour shifts (8 p.m-8 a.m.) a week depending on the project. What type of meetings? PS: Oh…the Xbox was on the floor in the pic I sent to Lynn. Good eye.
Monday, 11:02 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: Planning sessions for real estate developments. Lynn said you’re working on your dissertation. Where? In what? PS: Yes, I do have a good eye. What games do you play on your Xbox or does it belong to your man??
Monday, 11:03 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: I’m working on my thesis research. Molecular pharmacology at UCSF. Must be extensive real estate developments if you can afford to send such lavish gifts. Do you live in SF or L.A.? PS: The Xbox is mine. Lately, only GTA.
Monday, 11:03 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: I have homes in both L.A. & SF. Do you have a man… sending you gifts?
Monday, 11:03 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: If I did, would you still be trying to talk to me?
Monday, 11:03 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: Probably. I tend to go for what I want.
Monday, 11:06 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: Ha! And 12 hours ago, you wanted Lynn. I must go. A half a donut, a glass of rice milk and a game of GTA are waiting for me.
Monday, 11:07 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: But no boyfriend… waiting for you?
Monday, 11:07 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: Good night, Michael. Nice meeting you.
Monday, 11:10 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: PS… I’m single.
Monday, 11:10 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: [red heart emoji] What’s your gamertag?
Monday, 11:14 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: GeekBlackGurl.
Monday, 11:14 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: I’ll find you. ShahMichael.
Monday, 11:15 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: Are you Persian?
Monday, 11:15 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: Yes. Not into Persian guys? You’ll be into me.
Monday, 11:16 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: Depends on if you get upset after I run the table on Grand Theft Auto. Let’s play.
TUESDAY
Tuesday, 12:46 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: Damn, beautiful Lilly. You show no mercy. Good game.
Tuesday, 12:51 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: You gave up. A man who lets me kill him on GTA… makes me want to ask…
Tuesday, 12:51 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: Ask what?
Tuesday, 12:52 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: What are you wearing?
Tuesday, 12:52 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: Blue plaid pajama bottoms and a white undershirt. Are you still in leggings and white tee without a bra?
Tuesday, 12:55 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: No. I have a GTA outfit. You really analyzed my pic. Good night, Michael. Thanks for the game… made my night.
Tuesday, 12:56 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: Bra or no bra?
Tuesday, 12:59 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: Maybe… I’ll show you the next time you’re in the City.
Tuesday, 12:59 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: It’s a date. I’ll be there in a few days. I’ll call you. Good night, Lilly.
◆◆◆
Tuesday, 10:10 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: Good morning, beautiful Lilly. I enjoyed our game last night. You've been on my mind all morning.
Tuesday, 10:11 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: My gaming skills are legendary. You should see me play dominoes! Good morning, Michael.
Tuesday, 10:11 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: My dominoes skills are pretty good. We need to play. When are you free? I'll be in SF tomorrow.
Tuesday, 10:12 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: You send Lynn 1001 roses and two dozen donuts, but I only get a game of dominoes?
Tuesday, 10:13 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: No. We’ll go to dinner too... then we can play afterwards. [winking emoji]
Tuesday, 10:13 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: Play? How rough? Spanking? Biting?
Tuesday, 10:14 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: Was that a tease… or are we negotiating?
Tuesday, 10:17 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: Maybe. Should I be having this conversation… with someone I haven’t seen?
Tuesday, 10:17 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: You’re digging the mystery, babe. Dinner? Dominoes? Negotiating? Tomorrow? I’d love to know what you think about collars.
Tuesday, 10:19 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: [pic]
Tuesday, 10:26 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: Send me a pic. Would love to see if you’re wearing a bra today.
Tuesday, 10:29 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: Lilly?? I’m going into a meeting. Would love to see your face.
Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: [pic]
Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: You’re more beautiful than I remembered. A diamond collar would look good around your neck. Can I take you out tomorrow? For a real date?
Tuesday, 10:31 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: I have 562 more pages of medical journals to read today. I need to get to it. Have a good meeting, Michael.
Tuesday, 10:34 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: You didn’t say anything about my pic. Not feeling me?
Tuesday, 10:34 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: I’ll drop you a text when I’m finished for the day. I’ve appreciated this exchange. You’re very handsome. PS: I’d only wear a collar given to me by my husband.
Tuesday, 10:36 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: Good luck with your reading. Hope to hear from you when you’re done. PS: I only play for keeps.
◆◆◆
Tuesday, 8:46 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: I wanted to say hello. If you’re busy, you don’t need to respond. I’ve looked at your pic at least 50 times.
Tuesday, 8:52 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: Hi! [happy face emoji] Just finished dinner. My day went well. I’m all done with my reading. How was your day? I’ve looked at your pic more than once…
Tuesday, 8:52 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: My day was good… a little crazy. Lynn got lost in Downtown L.A., so I helped find her. How many times did you look at my pic?
Tuesday, 8:57 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: Helped find her? How gallant of you. She’s a grown woman who owns property. I doubt she was lost. I looked at your pic more than enough.
Tuesday, 8:57 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: You’re right. I can’t give myself karma points. Are you free for dinner tomorrow night?
Tuesday, 8:59 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: Not sure.
Tuesday, 9:00 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: You seemed sure earlier. What changed?
Tuesday, 9:07 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: I’m really busy.
Tuesday, 9:07 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: “Busy” is the thirtysomething woman brush off.
Tuesday, 9:09 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: I don’t know about other women, but I’m actually busy. I don’t have time to run around town searching for someone who is not even lost.
Tuesday, 9:09 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: I didn’t run around town. I waited for her to get back. Why do I feel like I’m messing up this connection between us?
Tuesday, 9:10 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: There is nothing to mess up. You sent flowers and donuts to my landlord and I received them. End of story.
Tuesday, 9:10 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: Beautiful Lilly, this is only the beginning of our story. Have dinner with me?
Tuesday, 9:11 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: You’re persistent.
Tuesday, 9:42 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: Babe, you don’t get as far as I have in life without persistence. See you soon.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, 1:15 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: It was great to meet you. You are even more beautiful in person. Sorry the roses were triggering your allergies. I guess I arrived at the right time. Let’s go to dinner tonight.
Wednesday, 1:16 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: I appreciate you and Nick helping me take them to the trash. It was nice to meet you IRL. Though I’m still confused… why are you hanging out with Lynn’s boyfriend?
Wednesday, 1:16 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: Lynn and Nick are working through an issue. He needed a ride to SF tonight and I wanted to meet you. Win/win. I downloaded BreakerFall. I’ll read some of it before I go to bed. We can talk about it at dinner.
Wednesday, 1:17 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: Because Lynn wrote it?
Wednesday, 1:18 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: No. I never read fiction. It’s only because you liked it. I’ll be in Palo Alto this afternoon. I’ll pick you up when I get back into the City. Where would you like to go to dinner? I’ll ask my assistant to make a reservation.
Wednesday, 1:23 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: Guys like you never have to read or make a reservation. You pay people to do it for you. I’m busy tonight.
Wednesday, 1:23 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: How about Thursday?
Wednesday, 1:25 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: I’m working.
Wednesday, 1:25 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: Can you do breakfast on Friday morning after you get off work?
Wednesday, 1:28 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: No. The only thing I want to do after spending 12 hours in the lab is sleep.
Wednesday, 1:28 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: Dinner on Saturday night?
Wednesday, 1:31 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: I’ll consider it.
Wednesday, 1:32 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: Lilly, we’re in our thirties. You don’t need to play hard to get anymore. I’ll let you submit. [winking emoji]
Wednesday, 1:35 a.m.
Lilly Shepard: Good night, Michael.
Wednesday, 1:36 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: I look forward to you whispering those words to me. In person. Good night, beautiful Lilly.
◆◆◆
Wednesday, 10:58 a.m.
Michael Ahmed: I hope the day is going well, beautiful Lilly. Where would you like to go to dinner on Saturday? I’m still available tonight as well…
◆◆◆
Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: My day was fine. Thank you.
Wednesday, 3:31 p.m.
Michael Ahmed: You responded… so you’re interested. [smiling emoji] Still playing hard to get? I’ll indulge you.
◆◆◆
Wednesday, 6:42 p.m.
Lilly Shepard: Michael, this basket is incredible. Wine. Bourbon. Cheese. Fruit. Bread. Nuts. Jams. With pairing instructions. It covers half my table. Thank you. Did you send one to Lynn as well?