Bellinger Sisters, #1
It Happened One Summer
by Tessa Bailey
Contents
Chapter Seventeen
Overview
Rosie endures a miserable day at the perfume counter, then dramatically quits, reclaiming her self-respect. Bethany and Georgie whisk her to Manhattan for a no‑limits girls’ night. Meanwhile, Dominic learns of the outing, wrestles with fear and guilt, and joins Travis, Stephen, and Wes in heading to the city, signaling converging showdowns and choices.
Summary
At the department store, Rosie suffers an onslaught of “puff princess” customers and the sting of silence from Dominic after their disastrous therapy. Overstimulated and heartsore, she confirms Dominic is still quietly protecting her via Joe the guard, but not reaching out. When supervisor Martha needles her in front of Bethany and Georgie, Rosie snaps, quits on the spot, and stomps her name tag, reclaiming dignity despite financial fear.
Outside, Bethany checks Rosie’s resolve, and Georgie prescribes distraction. Bethany declares an all‑out girls’ night and organizes a Manhattan outing. Rosie, terrified yet exhilarated, agrees, determined to stop being complacent and to believe in a better future.
Across town at Grumpy Tom’s, Dominic drinks with Travis and Stephen, spiraling over the therapy fallout and his unresolved guilt about selling the house. The men learn Bethany arrived in a limousine to collect Georgie and Rosie for a Manhattan night in daring outfits. Dominic, torn between trust in Rosie and fear of predatory men, seethes.
Wes arrives, confirms Bethany’s involvement, and the men debate following. Travis insists on trusting Georgie and not being hypocritical, but Wes decides to go anyway. When Travis reveals Rosie quit her job—peacefully backed by her friends—Dominic’s panic spikes. In the end, all four men throw cash on the bar and head into the city, setting up a confrontation and potential reckoning.
Who Appears
- RosieExhausted at the perfume counter, she impulsively quits and joins a Manhattan girls’ night to reclaim herself.
- DominicDrinks with friends, panics over Rosie’s night out, and decides to follow to Manhattan despite vowing trust.
- BethanyRingleads the girls’ night, boosts Rosie’s confidence, and sweeps her to Manhattan in a limousine.
- GeorgieSupports Rosie at work, proposes girls’ night, and joins the Manhattan outing.
- TravisSees Georgie leave dressed up, advocates trusting their partners, but still heads toward the city with the men.
- StephenRattled by Bethany’s bold outing, drinks against type, and joins the trip to Manhattan.
- WesArrives at the bar, confirms Bethany’s plans, and pushes the group to go into the city.
- MarthaRosie’s overbearing supervisor whose sniping triggers Rosie’s public resignation.
- JoeSecurity guard who confirms Dominic quietly dropped off his regular envelope, unsettling Rosie.
- BartenderServes beers and shots as the men process the women’s Manhattan outing.