The Summer I Turned Pretty, #3
We'll Always Have Summer
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Overview
Conrad reluctantly accompanies Belly to the florist, where she changes the wedding flowers to peonies, Susannah’s favorite. A charged moment at a roadside peach stand exposes Belly’s unresolved feelings for Conrad. When Jeremiah arrives, Belly masks her turmoil and resumes wedding mode, deepening the emotional triangle’s tension.
Summary
Conrad returns after a mysterious morning away and, despite clear reluctance, agrees to drive Belly to the florist. Belly, previously settled on calla lilies, switches to peonies—recognized by Conrad as Susannah’s favorite—linking the wedding to their shared past. Conrad’s discomfort surfaces when the florist mistakes him for the groom.
On the drive back, they stop at a roadside peach stand. Belly revels in the perfect fruit while Conrad notes he’s allergic, a small intimacy that underscores their history. When Conrad gently wipes juice from Belly’s chin, the moment feels intensely intimate to Belly, and both retreat—Conrad to the car, Belly to buy peaches for Jeremiah—aware of the boundary she is crossing.
Back at the house, Jeremiah has arrived. Conrad withdraws from the scene. Belly offers Jeremiah peaches and fights guilt, reminding herself nothing “happened.” Jeremiah casually recalls Conrad’s peach allergy, highlighting the brothers’ closeness and Belly’s conflicted position. Belly arranges the fruit, hands shaking, determined to continue with the wedding despite her shaken feelings.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Bride-to-be; chooses peonies and shares a charged peach-stand moment with Conrad, then hides her turmoil from Jeremiah.
- Conrad FisherReluctantly accompanies Belly; links peonies to Susannah; wipes peach juice from Belly’s chin, then withdraws.
- Jeremiah FisherArrives home, affectionate and oblivious; eats peaches and recalls Conrad’s allergy, unaware of Belly’s shaken feelings.
- FloristHelps finalize peony arrangements; mistakenly assumes Conrad is the groom, heightening the awkwardness.