Only one thing stands in the way of millionaire Gregory MacPherson's project to revitalize the gritty neighborhood of Ball's End: a run-down used bookstore. Since none of Mac's employees seem to be able to get Hailey's Comic out of the building Mac needs to tear down, he decides to take matters into his own hands. He expects to have it all under control, just like he has everything under control. What he doesn't expect is to fall hard and fast for the store's owner—the colorful, willowy, and unexpectedly male, Hailey.
Hailey refuses to give up his lease, no matter how many incentives Mac dangles in front of him, but when it comes to consummating their mutual attraction, he's a lot more flexible. Soon Mac is finding it as hard to pry himself out of Hailey's bed as it is to pry Hailey out of the building. With time winding down and no other options, he does the unthinkable.
Mac is trying to improve Ball's End. Hailey thinks it's Mac who could stand to be improved. But with a few compromises, they might all end up Better Off.