Exhausted by her day-to-day existence of running a demanding business, rearing a teenage son alone, and still recovering from a marriage to a cruel and controlling man, with her son at sleepaway camp, Sybil is getting away for a few days. As she awaits a delayed flight to Lisbon, the nervous flier in the seat beside her at the gate initiates a conversation. They talk most of the way across the Atlantic, and Antonia soon introduces her to Lucas, her husband's best friend, at a large formal party arranged for this purpose. The serious and playful love affair that ensues becomes the crucible of Sybil's-and Lucas's-healing and transformation.