The Summer I Turned Pretty, #3
We'll Always Have Summer
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Three
Overview
Steven confronts Belly about marrying young, revealing Laurel sent him to intervene. Belly refuses to reconsider and shares that Jeremiah wants Steven and Conrad as best men. Steven is conflicted—critical yet flattered—and ends up half-accepting his role while worrying about Laurel. The sibling standoff underscores family tensions and Belly’s resolve.
Summary
While Belly folds laundry, Steven enters to ask if she and Jeremiah are serious about marrying. He calls the plan insane and argues they are too young, implying there’s no need to rush. Belly challenges whether Laurel sent him; Steven first denies it, then admits Laurel asked him to talk her out of it.
Steven insists that if Belly and Jeremiah truly love each other, they can wait, and that not being able to wait means they shouldn’t marry. Belly remains firm and, to shift the dynamic, tells Steven that Jeremiah wants him and Conrad to be best men. Steven is visibly pleased before masking it, then worries Laurel won’t let him participate.
Belly points out Steven is old enough to decide for himself, wounding his pride. He reiterates he still thinks it’s a bad decision, but the conversation ends with him half-accepting involvement and joking that he and Conrad should plan the bachelor party. Belly pushes back that Jeremiah doesn’t want one, and Steven exits with a teasing “man stuff,” leaving Belly’s resolve intact and family tensions unresolved.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Defends her decision to marry Jeremiah; reveals the best-man plan; remains resolute despite family pressure.
- Steven ConklinSent by Laurel to dissuade Belly; argues they’re too young; conflicted but flattered to be asked as best man.
- Laurel ConklinAbsent but influential; prompts Steven’s intervention, maintaining her opposition to the wedding.
- Jeremiah FisherAbsent but central; asks Steven and Conrad to be his best men; rejects bachelor-party antics.
- Conrad FisherMentioned as co–best man candidate; potential participant in Steven’s joked-about bachelor party.