Episode 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2 opens with Belly reminiscing about her carefree times with Conrad at her abode. They delve into the details of his being her prom date, and she offers to arrange a tuxedo for him. However, beneath the surface, Conrad confesses his concern for Susannah's health, revealing that her medication has ceased to work. Belly senses a distance growing between them.
On the fateful prom night, Conrad's oversight in forgetting Belly's corsage leaves her standing alone, corsage-less. She understands his preoccupation with Susannah's condition, yet Conrad's guilt is palpable. On the dance floor, Belly observes a shell of the man she knows, as he forces himself to dance. He eventually suggests abandoning the prom, but Belly refuses, determined to make the most of the night.
Conrad, realizing his presence might ruin Belly's evening, decides to leave for college early. As he escorts her outside, an argument ensues, leaving both of them at a crossroads. Conrad attempts to retreat without resolution, but Belly draws a line, ending their romantic entanglement. She hands him the infinity necklace and returns to the festivities, leaving Conrad to drive away in his car.
Months later, the news of Susannah's passing strikes Belly and her family. She recalls Conrad's disheveled appearance and Jeremiah's tears during the funeral service. Unexpectedly, Conrad takes up the guitar and sings a heartfelt song in memory of his mother, a side of him Belly had never seen. She vows to stand by him, regardless of the circumstances.
Amidst the turmoil, Belly attempts to comfort Jeremiah, but he remains withdrawn. Laurel chastises Belly for her attire, deeming her dress too short. Seeking to offer solace to Conrad, Belly finds him resting in the lap of another girl. She is stung by betrayal and storms out, creating a commotion that further infuriates her mother.
Conrad chases after her, their argument escalating in front of the guests. He confesses that his relationship with Belly was a mistake, one he deeply regrets. In a fit of anger, Belly declares her hatred for him and stumbles out of the house, leaving a trail of chaos and an infuriated mother in her wake.
Later, Conrad shares with Jeremiah his struggle with the impending sale of the beach house, a place deeply cherished by their mother. He insists on handling the matter alone, knowing how much the house meant to Susannah. The brothers argue over Jeremiah's presence during their mother's final moments.
Meanwhile, Belly finds solace in the beach house, missing Susannah's presence more here than anywhere else. She takes a dip in the pool and comes across Conrad, sitting silently. The two engage in a strained conversation, and Belly senses the tension surrounding them. The next morning, Conrad informs Belly and Jeremiah that their aunt Julia, Susannah's half-sister, is selling the house. He reveals that their father, Adam, lacks the funds to purchase it. Jeremiah, who was there for his mother during her final days, argues with Conrad, and Belly realizes that this could be their last summer at the beloved Cousins Beach.
Conrad firmly instructed Jeremiah to step aside and insisted he would take care of their aunt's matter himself. Jeremiah, desperate, turned to Belly, pleading that she was the only one who could reason with Conrad. However, Belly reminded Jeremiah that things had changed between them, reminiscing about the carefree summers at the beach house when Susannah was still alive.
Meanwhile, Laurel entrusted Steven with Belly's well-being during her book tour. Steven lied to his mother, assuring her that Belly was still at Taylor's and promising to behave until she returned. Secretly, he called Taylor, informing her of his plans to visit Cousins Beach, where Conrad had invited him. Taylor, eager to support Belly, offered to join him and asked him to pack her things as well.
Jeremiah and Belly embarked on a grocery run, searching for Aunt Julia in hopes of convincing her not to sell the house. Jeremiah devised a plan to charm Julia, but Belly reminded him that Julia had not been close to Susannah and they hadn't seen her for years. Belly recounted that Conrad often pushed people away when he needed them most, and Jeremiah warned that if he continued, people would eventually tire of him and leave him alone.
Upon reaching Julia's hotel room, the two attempted to persuade her against selling the house, but Julia revealed that she had already begun the process and the decision was final. On their way back, Jeremiah was devastated, believing it was Conrad's responsibility to speak to their father about it. Belly gently reminded Jeremiah that he needed to mend his relationship with his brother to present a united front in convincing their father to buy the house.
The conversation shifted to Belly's recent exclusion from the volleyball team due to her distraction. Jeremiah vowed to patch things up with Conrad if Belly promised to attend volleyball camp. Amidst these conversations, Steven noticed Taylor arguing with Milo through text messages. She disclosed that their kiss from the previous summer held no significance.
Taylor furiously reprimanded Steven for diminishing Milo's worth for not attending college, accusing him of publicly chastising her sister at the party. Back at the beach house, Jeremiah sought out Conrad, pleading with him to form a united front before their father to safeguard their beloved home. Relenting, Conrad agreed to accept Jeremiah's assistance.
In a moment of vulnerability, Steven confessed to Taylor his guilt for being overly eager about college amidst Susannah's tragic death. He clarified that he never intended to be a neglectful brother to Belly, but merely sought to lead his own life. Steven revealed to Taylor that he had lied about being invited to the beach, longing for the camaraderie of his friends. Taylor acknowledged that the Fisher boys missed him as much as he missed them.
Later, Belly was in the midst of the boys when Adam's call shattered the tranquility, informing them that the trust fund was depleted. He revealed that he had known about the house's impending sale since Susannah's funeral, but Julia's sole ownership rendered him powerless to intervene. Conrad was enraged by Adam's betrayal, lambasting their father's lack of concern for Susannah. The brothers and Belly were devastated by the news, but their spirits were briefly revived by the unexpected arrival of Steven and Taylor. Jeremiah informed Steven of the house's sale, shocking him to silence.
As night fell, Conrad and Jeremiah sat outside on the porch, the former thanking the latter for his support in confronting their father. Conrad vowed to Jeremiah that he would not relinquish the house without a fight, promising to work together to ensure their aunt would not sell it.
Later that evening, Conrad and Belly shared a heartfelt conversation, the latter thanking her for standing by their side. Belly sat in the living room with Taylor and the boys, pondering how to ensure their summer haven remained theirs forever. The group gathered to watch a movie, but Conrad excused himself, slipping outside towards the beach after receiving a text. Steven followed suit, witnessing Conrad in the throes of a panic attack. The episode concluded with Conrad collapsing unconsciously on the shore.
