Frankie is a waitress at a New York City neighbourhood café. After a series of unhappy relationships, Frankie lives a very quiet, guarded life. Into the café and her life comes Johnny, a recently released ex-con who's hired as a short-order cook. Johnny soon falls for Frankie and starts to pursue her vigorously, but Frankie's past causes her to erect a shield to protect herself from another potentially hurtful experience.