Episode 2 of Season 3 of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" kicks off with a poignant flashback. Belly catches a glimpse of a flight update on Jeremiah's laptop, revealing his impending spring break trip to Cabo. Distressed by the fact that he hadn't mentioned his international adventure to her, she confronts him. Their argument escalates, unearthing Jeremiah's lingering inferiority complex towards Conrad. Emotions run high, culminating in Jeremiah suggesting they call it quits. Belly, heartbroken but resolute, agrees.
For the duration of spring break, an uneasy silence fills the void between their unsent texts. Upon their eventual reunion, Jeremiah, wracked with regret, confesses his mistake and pleads for a reconciliation. Belly, however, insists they were never truly apart. On the brink of confessing his encounter with Lacie, Jeremiah hesitates.
In the present, Belly weeps inconsolably in her room, ignoring Jeremiah's desperate messages. Even Taylor, who had inadvertently introduced Belly to Lacie, finds herself rebuffed when she comes to check on her friend. Disheartened, Taylor crosses paths with Jeremiah and doesn't hold back her scathing rebuke. Meanwhile, at work, Steven confides in his colleague Denise about his recent breakup.
Belly struggles to navigate her daily routine on campus, as every corner seems to echo Jeremiah's presence. Anika offers solace, suggesting that while Jeremiah might have genuinely believed they were over, his omission about Lacie was a grave misstep. Unbeknownst to them all, Belly harbors a secret of her own. A memory flashes back to a lonely Christmas day at the Cousins' house, when everyone else was occupied. Immersed in a movie, Belly is unexpectedly joined by Conrad.
On campus, Jeremiah finally catches up with Belly, his eyes pleading for forgiveness. Yet, she stands firm in her refusal. Elsewhere, Laurel attends a literature conference, only to be taken aback by the sight of her ex-husband, John. He persuades her to indulge in a bit of wine theft, and they sneak off to enjoy their illicit libation. Over at med school, Conrad and Agnes embark on their summer internship under the stern supervision of Dr. Namazy.
Throughout the entire day, Taylor remained unresponsive to Steven's texts, prompting him to seek her out at her fraternity house. They embarked on a journey to grab some sustenance, during which he confided in her about his breakup with Mia and expressed his desire for a fresh beginning with her. However, Taylor dismissed his intentions, insisting it wasn't a wise move and abruptly exited the vehicle, compelling Steven to halt and let her go. Despite her departure, Steven reversed the car, only to be struck by an approaching truck in a harrowing twist of fate.
Belly, receiving a frantic call from Taylor, dashed to the hospital without delay. As he completed the necessary paperwork, he urged Taylor to inform Jeremiah and Conrad of the situation. Concerned about Steven's wellbeing, Conrad inquired with Dr. Namazy about reaching out to the hospital for an update on his condition. She offered him the option of taking the day off, which he politely declined.
Jeremiah soon arrived at the hospital lobby, but Taylor reassured Belly that he wouldn't attempt to converse with her. Their conversation was interrupted by the head of neurology, who had taken charge of Steven's case due to a favour granted by Dr. Namazy.
Meanwhile, back at Stanford, Conrad's mistake in mislabeling a blood sample cost him his internship with Dr. Namazy. She reprimanded him for not taking her earlier advice to go home and rest.
When Belly and Taylor were finally permitted to see Steven, who was sedated, Taylor poured her heart out to him, confessing her love but acknowledging her fear of being unworthy of his affection, which drove her to push him away. The following morning, the doctor delivered reassuring news: Steven's CT scan was clear, and his prognosis was positive. Overwhelmed with relief, Taylor vowed to end things with Davis and give her relationship with Steven a genuine chance. She also encouraged Belly to pursue a relationship with Jeremiah if that was her heart's desire.
Elsewhere, Laurel and John awaken from a night shared in an intimate embrace, only for Laurel to finally notice Belly's missed messages and promptly dial her number. A tide of self-reproach washes over her, mingled with anger towards John, as she realizes Belly had been unable to reach them throughout the night. Meanwhile, Belly's phone buzzes with a text from Conrad, inquiring about Steven. Their last communication date back to Christmas, this message triggers a nostalgic flashback.
Conrad reveals to Belly that his flight to join Jeremiah and his father for a skiing trip was delayed, prompting his unexpected stop at Cousins. The following morning, Belly, in a rush of excitement, tumbles down the stairs, her humiliation compounded by Conrad's unexpected witness. He swiftly scoops her up and places her gently on the couch, where Belly secretly admits to herself that a piece of her heart will forever hold a special place for Conrad.
Their day unfolds in a harmonious blend of shared moments, until Jeremiah's call interrupts, the connection wavering. Belly, hesitant to disclose Conrad's presence, omits this detail. Conrad, overhearing the half-said conversation, departs silently the next dawn, leaving behind a sticky note that simply reads, "It was good to see you."
In the present, Agnes checks in on Conrad, gently reminding him that Namazy's words ring true – he must pay closer attention to his own emotions. Suddenly, there's a miraculous turn: Steven awakens, eliciting pure joy from Belly. Taylor soon arrives, intent on confessing her feelings to Steven, but he, having undergone a revelation, gently informs her that they are not meant to be. Taylor, though heartbroken, feigns agreement to spare further discord.
Belly seeks out Jeremiah, still waiting in the lobby, and delivers the glad tidings of Steven's recovery. They embark on a reflective walk, their conversation delving into the depths of their relationship. Open to a fresh start, Belly finds Jeremiah equally committed to regaining her trust. Their discourse drifts to the preciousness of life and the unpredictability of the future. In a spontaneous gesture, Jeremiah proposes marriage, and Belly, moved, accepts wholeheartedly.
