Episode 7 of The Summer I Turned Pretty begins with a jarring awakening for Belly, roused by the angry voice of her mother, Laurel. Fuming, Laurel confronts Belly over a tearful voicemail pleading for her mother's help. In an attempt to mend fences, Belly apologizes profusely, explaining that the boys desperately needed her assistance to save the beloved beach house.
However, Laurel remains unmoved, her anger simmering beneath the surface. She dismisses Belly's excuses and demands she get dressed to return home. Belly tries to reason with her mother, apologizing for her behavior at Susannah's funeral, admitting that she made the situation about herself rather than honoring Susannah's memory.
This only fuels Laurel's anger, who accuses Belly of blaming her for not being the same after Susannah's death and for suppressing her emotions. In a moment of rage, Laurel slaps Belly, sending the teenager fleeing to the beach in tears.
Overhearing the heated exchange, Conrad and Jeremiah intervene. Jeremiah, moved by Belly's distress, decides to follow her to the beach and offer comfort. But Belly continues to dwell on the previous night's altercation between Conrad and his brother, much to Jeremiah's annoyance. He chastises her for meddling in matters that don't concern her, claiming there are deeper reasons for his resentment towards Conrad.
Meanwhile, Laurel lambasts the children for ruining Susannah's beach house and disposing of her belongings. Steven reveals that it was Aunt Julia who was responsible, shocking Laurel. Even more shocking is the news that the beach house is being sold, and Adam did nothing to preserve his wife's cherished childhood dream.
Conrad and Steven are outraged that Laurel knew about the sale yet failed to inform them. Steven chastises his mother for not making enough of an effort and urges her to step up her game. Laurel finds Belly and Jeremiah outside and attempts to reconcile with her daughter. She apologizes for striking her and acknowledges her own turmoil over Susannah's death. Laurel confesses that she has been suppressing her emotions and promises to be there for Belly. Overcome, Belly apologizes to her mother, and the two forgive each other for their past mistakes.
Inside the beach house, Laurel extends her apology to the children, asking them to clean up before she speaks with Julia. Steven offers Taylor a lift home so she can attend volleyball camp. Taylor invites Belly to join, but Belly decides to stay and lend a hand to the boys. She is stunned to learn that Taylor and Steven had a thing, and Taylor encourages Belly to follow her heart and confess her feelings to Jeremiah.
Steven bids Taylor farewell, and the group resumes cleaning the beach house. Julia arrives unexpectedly, horrified by the mess the children have made. Laurel pulls Julia aside for a private conversation, discussing Susannah's deep love for the beach house. Laurel pleads with Julia to reconsider the sale and consider the boys' feelings. Julia shares stories of her childhood and her strained relationship with Susannah. Laurel reasons with Julia and, after much persuasion, convinces her to back down on the sale. The kids are overjoyed by the news.
Skye expresses her heartfelt gratitude to her mother for lending an attentive ear to Laurel, fostering a profound bond between mother and child as they recount the joyful details of Skye's kiss with Cameron. Meanwhile, Belly and Conrad engage in a heart-to-heart, apologizing for the missteps of their past relationship. Belly extends an olive branch, offering friendship, but Conrad seems dissatisfied with merely being labeled as her friend.
Inside the bustling house, Laurel reveals that the sale of the beach house was merely a ruse, designed to give Adam an opportunity to purchase it from Julia, preserving precious memories of Susannah. She urges the children to tidy up before the adults engage Adam in conversation.
As Adam arrives, Laurel and Julia mount a convincing argument, persuading him to acquire the beach house and hold onto the cherished memories of Susannah. Conrad and Jeremiah attempt to sway their father, who initially hesitates due to the house's association with their late mother. Finally, Adam relents and agrees to the purchase, acknowledging that it would require selling their Boston home to afford it. The boys, unfazed, assure him of their support.
Jeremiah beckons Conrad to the beach, where they discuss the impending purchase and the possible sale of their own abode. Conrad confides in Jeremiah about his acceptance into Stanford, yet expresses doubt about passing the final exam, a crucial hurdle for his college admission. Jeremiah vows not to let Conrad abandon their shared dream with Susannah.
Back at the beach house, Julia and Skye invite Laurel to spend the night with them at the motel, while Belly, Jeremiah, and Steven assist Conrad in his exam preparations. As the night progresses, Belly and Jeremiah share fleeting moments of romance amidst the group's study sessions and dance breaks.
As dawn breaks, Belly begins to confess her sentiments to Conrad, but he drifts off to sleep. Laurel arrives to escort Belly and Steven home, granting Belly a final ride with the Fisher brothers. Before parting ways, Steven whispers to Conrad to reveal his true feelings and encourages Belly to follow her heart.
The trio decides to uphold their annual tradition of the "Belly flop," sending Belly soaring into the pool for a final splash before embarking on their journey home. After a brief respite in the pool, Steven joins Laurel on her drive, while Belly accompanies Jeremiah as he escorts Conrad to Brown University for his crucial exam.
The chilly ride back prompts Jeremiah to offer to turn off the air conditioning, but Belly opts to wrap herself in Conrad's jacket instead. A subtle tension hangs in the air, which Belly alleviates by playing some music. The trio enjoys the melodies as they bid farewell to Conrad, who embarks on his exam at Brown.
While waiting for Conrad's return, Belly and Jeremiah explore the campus, and Belly envisions herself walking these halls if she were to attend Brown like Jeremiah. She shares her vision of exploring the campus with him, and as they wait by the car, Belly confesses her affection for Jeremiah. She vows that there is no turning back, admitting her regret for breaking his heart.
Jeremiah, though hesitant, ultimately succumbs to the moment and kisses Belly by the car. Their tender moment is abruptly interrupted by Conrad's arrival, marking the end of an eventful episode.
