Late-twentysomething Chris Brander is a good-looking, successful Los Angeles-based recording executive who can have any woman he wants. This hasn't always been the case; he was an overweight geek in high school in small-town New Jersey. Back then he was in love with his best friend, Jamie Palamino; when he finally professed his love for her, she said she loved him like a brother. Being a cheerleader, she was one of the popular kids and seemed to date only good-looking guys--who ended up being jerks. Chris' experience with Jamie has led to him having a theory of dating, the basic tenet being not to fall into the "friend" zone with someone you want to date, because the friend zone is inescapable. Jamie was also his impetus to turn his life around, to get fit and make his life a success. In the lead-up to Christmas, he is on his way to Paris with the current Hollywood "it" girl, Samantha James, whom his boss KC wants Chris to woo so that they can sign her when she makes her foray into music. In reality, she is talentless, vacuous, and totally self-absorbed, which Chris knows, but Samantha sees Chris as her Christmas present: someone to attend to her every need and want on this trip, sexual or otherwise. Their flight hits technical problems, forcing an unscheduled stop in New Jersey, where Chris has not been since he left 10 years ago after high school. Back in his hometown, Chris runs into many old friends and acquaintances, including Jamie. He finds that he is still in love with her, and is determined not to fall back into the "friend" zone with her, which is easier said than done. Other obstacles to a Chris/Jamie happy ending are Samantha, who will not be ignored by Chris, and Dusty Dinkleman, another of Jamie's geek admirer in high school; he has always turned his life around and is a paramedic. His intention is to out-woo Chris for Jamie's affections.