It’s the basis for every fairy tale ever written: the handsome, generous, good-hearted prince, and the poor but beautiful young girl he takes for his wife.

Except that Jefferson Quinley, while definitely handsome, is neither generous nor good-hearted. He is instead a college playboy, taking advantage of the fact that so many female students are so readily available for his attentions.

Nor is Olivia Bower beautiful. She is, actually, rather plain. And naïve.

Still, she understands what kind of man Jeff is, and, not wanting to be hurt, keeps her distance.

Which presents quite a challenge to the Harvey Benton College senior. Deciding to take up the cause, he pursues her until she finally accepts, and their relationship as a couple continues for a brief while. After the one time he connives her into his bed, however, he is no longer interested, and he drops her flat.

Flash forward ten years to Jeff, who is now a successful financial consultant, living outside of New York City and wedded to an extremely wealthy society lady. While their marriage may not be made in heaven, on the surface they manage to keep things going no matter what troubles lie underneath.

Out of the blue, Olivia Bower reappears in Jeff’s life. She is sole owner of a thriving little business called Just Livvie, selling the hats and accessories which she creates, and she is seeking Jeff’s help to straighten out some problems with her financial affairs.

Although she has become a stunning, confident beauty, who turns heads wherever she goes—especially wearing such delicious, unique headgear—he restrains himself from getting emotionally involved. He is, after all, a married man.

Jeff had treated her very badly, back in those college days of the long-ago past. Why would she possibly want to see him again, even in a business capacity? Why go out of her way to be so pleasant, unless she has an ulterior motive? Her continued presence, on the fringe of his environment, feels almost like stalking, and he wonders what it is she’s after. An affair, and the breakup of his marriage, might be just the retribution she wants.

Or is it?