Plot Synopsis

Elle Bennett is an ambitious ad agency executive in Chicago who is looking forward to putting together her annual "Misfit Christmas" party with her close friends - a holiday tradition since their college days which is clearly important to her. However, difficulties at work put a kink in her plans, drawing her back to the office, where she discovers the company is bringing in another executive, Max Turner, from the New York office to solve the problem. Concerned this new guy who she knows only from emails might put a damper on her plans for a promotion, she re-doubles her efforts at work, putting her Christmas party plans at risk. Despite her best effort to take control of the work situation, her boss asks her to work with Max and when they finally meet, she realizes he's also the attractive stranger who started showing up at her local coffee house a few days ago. Despite the mutual attraction, things take an awkward turn when she realizes Max intends to stay in Chicago and apply for the same job she's been angling for; the fact that he's doing it so he can be closer to his mother who Elle knows makes it even harder to be upset. As the big day for their interviews arrives, the two have become friends and decide to let their bosses make the final decision, but when Elle accidentally overhears Max in his interview using her ideas which she shared in confidence with him, she feels heartbroken and betrayed. However, she soon learns she has misread Max, who has bigger plans for them, and ultimately the night shapes up to be the best Christmas ever for both of them.