GETTING DUMPED... It had to be the worst weekend in Jackie Barnett's life. First, her boyfriend cancelled their romantic getaway in the West Indies, claiming she was a "stick in the mud." Then he cancelled their romance -- by voice mail, the rat. Adding insult to injury, Jackie's boss at the pharmacology lab insisted she take the vacation anyway. By herself.

GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL... Jackie should have known -- her boss wanted her to squeeze some grant money out of the head of the Phelps Foundation, who just happened to be staying at her resort. As if that wasn't bad enough, her arch rival, Reade Hunter -- the man who'd been stealing awards from her since grad school -- was there too...to steal away the Phelps Grant.

GETTING EVEN... This time, Jackie's going to beat Reade Hunter at his own game. She may have lost her boyfriend -- and her luggage, too -- but she's not going to lose this grant! And by the look in Reade's eyes when he spots Jackie in a very revealing, very un-stick-in-the-mud sundress, he won't even mind losing...the grant or his heart.