The fifth episode of Season 3 of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" commences with a glimpse into Conrad's inner thoughts. He finds himself replaying the tender moment when Belly embraced him after he agreed to be her best man, the warmth of her hug lingering in his mind. Determined to maintain distance from her until the wedding day, he resolves to steer clear of her company.
Taylor arrives at the office to fetch Jeremiah, preparing to join Belly at Cousins. While awaiting his arrival, she bumps into Steven, and they engage in a nostalgic catch-up session. However, a phone call interrupts their reunion, informing Taylor that her mother's salon inspection has been rescheduled unexpectedly, forcing her to cancel her plans with Belly. Consequently, Jeremiah, Conrad, and Belly will be the only ones celebrating the Fourth of July together.
Back in the office, Jeremiah and Steven eagerly anticipate Adam's departure, their eyes peeled for any sign of a burgeoning romance between Denise and Steven, which Steven promptly denies. When Adam assigns them additional work, Jeremiah eagerly volunteers to take on the burden, allowing Steven and Denise to leave early, hoping to curry favor with his boss.
Belly receives a text from Jeremiah, informing her of his delay. Seeking transportation to the store for wedding essentials, she turns to Conrad, who, still striving to avoid her, claims to be occupied. Undeterred, she takes to her bike, pedaling to the cake shop. There, she is taken aback by the staggering price tag of $750 for the cake Jeremiah desires.
Meanwhile, Conrad ventures into town and spots Belly struggling under the weight of numerous shopping bags. This time, his resolve melts, and he offers her a ride. During their journey back, they make a pit stop at a florist, where Belly learns that wedding floral arrangements can cost upwards of $5,000. Seeking to alleviate her stress, Conrad suggests using his mother's hydrangeas and opting for a more affordable cake.
Jeremiah calls again, delivering the disappointing news that he won't be joining them at Cousins that evening. Belly's heart sinks, for she had been looking forward to shopping the sale at Michaels with him. To add insult to injury, Jeremiah insists on purchasing the pricey cake despite the budget constraints, further exacerbating Belly's frustration. Conrad, despite telling himself not to interfere, ultimately caves and steps in to rescue the day, suggesting they visit Michaels together.
At work, Jeremiah handed his father the papers, his tone laden with concern as he revealed the discrepancies in the numbers. Adam, noticing Jeremiah's acute observation, stepped in promptly, averting a potentially disastrous business deal for the company. Jeremiah's competence didn't stop at the office; at home too, he impressed Adam by expressing his wholehearted support for the upcoming wedding. Further still, he generously offered to foot the bill and host the ceremony at his exclusive club.
Meanwhile, aboard a delayed train bound for New York, Steven's path crossed with Denise's. To pass the time, they exchanged phones and indulged in each other's games, during which Denise discovered that Steven had crafted one of them for his college thesis. A pleasant surprise awaited them; they were both en route to the same gaming convention in the city, each seeking new career horizons.
As Belly and Conrad drove, she confided in him her aspiration to pursue sports psychology. Conrad, in a moment of vulnerability, confessed his own therapeutic journey. Their conversation delved into the profound transformations they had undergone. At Michaels, while selecting artificial flowers for the wedding decor, Conrad's support for Belly was evident. However, on their return journey, his inner turmoil resurfaced as he contemplated his fear of appearing fragile in her eyes. Finally, he mustered the courage to reveal his internship termination. Belly, empathetic as ever, reassured him that mistakes are an integral part of life and gently pointed out his tendency to shoulder too many burdens.
Hunger struck Belly as they passed a peach stand on the highway. Conrad, using his T-shirt to wipe away a spot of juice from her chin, found himself drawn to her. Battling his emotions, he excused himself to wait in the car. Back at the Cousins' residence, Conrad chastised himself for allowing his guard to drop with Belly. The evening unfolded with them cooking dinner, sipping wine, and engaging in heartfelt chatter.
A nostalgic flashback transported Conrad four years back, to his last visit to Belly's house. That night, Belly had snuck into his guest room amid the looming shadows of Susannah's deteriorating health. Unable to burden Belly with his worries, Conrad had chosen silence, hoping to preserve her innocence. Their intimate night together now seemed like a distant memory of happier times.
Jeremiah's arrival at the Cousins' interrupted Conrad's reverie, bringing good tidings about Adam's enthusiastic backing for the wedding. However, Conrad's heart wasn't in celebrating their union; instead, he retreated to the shower, unable to bear witnessing their joy together. Jeremiah later relayed Adam's generous offer to Belly—to fund the wedding, hold it at his club, and invite colleagues. Kayleigh, Adam's secretary, would oversee all arrangements. Though not overjoyed, Belly acceded to the plan.
From his window, Conrad watched them dance, his mind drifting to a poignant conversation with Susannah before her demise. In a tender flashback, Susannah hailed Conrad as a wonderful older brother, prompting him to vow unwavering support for Jeremiah. Contemplating his promise, Conrad realized he couldn't jeopardize Jeremiah's happiness. The memory of his solitary lie to Belly—denying his feelings at the motel—haunted him, a reminder of sacrifices made to protect those he loved.
