A single mother’s candid relationship with her daughter is tested when she secretly dates the father of her daughter’s dorm-mate. At the same time her body care store is threatened by a huge competitor moving in next door, and she turns to an online insomniacs club for advice.

SYNOPSIS:

After Holly drops her daughter, Allie, off at college, she’s determined to maintain their close relationship while devoting more time to her body care products store. Holly’s single parent devotion has left little time for extra-curriculars of her own, so when Peter, a father she met on move-in day, asks her out, her reflex is to say no. Plus she already has a new challenge demanding her attention at work -- a popular youth-focused body care store, Mirabel, unexpectedly moves in next store and its corporate store jerk manager, William, belittles Holly’s ‘quaint’ set up. All the while she’s struggling with so-called middle life insomnia and meets some kindred souls in an on-line group.

William’s dismissal of Holly as a rival, fires up her competitive spirit and she impulsively starts a long overdue renovation. Her normally loyal employee, Blair, isn’t available and in steps Peter, who has a client nearby and uses that as an excuse to try again to connect with Holly. Normally not one for accepting help, Peter’s interior design instincts are in line with Holly’s desires for the store to maintain its character while making it feel more current. Peter learns that Holly’s inspiration for the store is connected to her best friend Erica, who passed away when her daughter Allie was one. Holly adopted Allie and devoted her life to keeping the promise she made to Erica, to open the store they planned together and raise Allie.

Holly has kept Allie so close that now that Allie wants some privacy, leaving Holly struggling with the breakdown of their previously transparent relationship. Unconsciously mirroring Allie’s desire for privacy, Holly isn’t yet ready to share the news of her budding relationship, leading to an awkward encounter with Peter at a parent/child college breakfast. Eyebrows fly up at the 3AM Club as her previously predictable life takes on a soap opera-like drama.

Back at the store, Holly’s relaunching ambitions are dampened when she learns that Blair not only deserted her, but has been lured to Mirabel by William. She’ll have to tackle the reopening on her own. As she tries to get foot traffic into her store, she gets more and more desperate, alienating her friend Jane who runs the coffee shop next door. William goes out of his way to constantly ruffle Holly’s feathers, especially for what he calls her analog approach to business. He chides her for not having on-line sales which propels her into figuring them out. The 3AM Club cheers her on.

Holly is finally ready to introduce Peter to Allie at her own birthday dinner. Just before dinner, as they wait in the kitchen, Holly expresses her excitement for the big reveal. That is until Holly goes to the front door to see that Allie is hand-in-hand with Jake, Peter’s son. Holly panics. She tells Peter they can’t be dating if their kids are dating, and she shoves him out the back door. Holly tries to concentrate on dinner where Allie hints that she’s probably not coming home for the summer and isn’t staying for the evening either. Holly puts on a brave face while the separation of mother and daughter continues. Peter doesn’t answer Holly’s calls.

Holly admits to the 3AM Club that this battle with Mirabel is getting under her skin and affecting her relationships. When they ask he what the store is like, she admits she’s never been inside. Spurred on by the group, the next morning she goes on a reconnaissance mission. That’s when she sees Jane deliver coffee to William’s office. Blair catches Holly manipulating the displays and trying to make off with some product as research. Holly thought she couldn’t sink lower but true rock bottom hits the moment she saw Peter leave William’s office. Why is everyone she knows on Team William?

Holly confronts Peter who admits that Mirabel was the client that brought him to the neighborhood in the first place. Holly can’t believe his lie of omission while Peter maintains the two had nothing to do with each other. She’s heard enough. Peter’s lack of transparency is a deal breaker. Peter challenges Holly, she’s one to talk, she hasn’t even told Allie they were dating. But no need to disclose it now.

Holly’s alienated everyone who was close to her and she finds herself outside Allie’s dorm calling to see if she can take Allie to dinner. Allie says she has to study but then leaves the residence with Jake and gets in Peter’s car. Holly confronts Allie, livid that she’s been lied to, which leads to a long simmering argument about what they withhold from each other. Allie storms off, ignoring Holly’s reflex offer to drive her to the library.

Holly’s usual upbeat demeanor for her in store customers evaporates and she can’t muster the energy to fulfill her on-line sales. The 3AM Club, seeing the desperation in their newest member, show up at the store to help. As part of their contribution, they create a 3AM Club section that includes products and supports for insomnia and other middle-life challenges which brings in an unexpectedly large and under-served clientele. Even William picks up a few things, and Blair decides she’s had enough of the corporate store and asks to come back.

The mother daughter bond is intact and Allie comes home for some comfort when things get strained with Jake. Holly cherishes the new dynamic with Allie, whatever it may evolve into. Uncharacteristically William tells Holly to give Peter another chance and vouches for his character. Holly apologizes to Peter asking for a new start. They finally reveal their renewed relationship to their kids who think they are perfect for each other.

3AM CLUB