The Summer I Turned Pretty, #3
We'll Always Have Summer
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Twenty-One
Overview
Conrad arrives for Susannah’s dedication, briefly rekindling old dynamics. At a family lunch, Jeremiah publicly announces his and Belly’s August engagement. Laurel and Adam strongly object, with Laurel bluntly asking if Belly is pregnant. The meal collapses in tension, and Belly refuses to return the ring despite her mother’s ultimatum.
Summary
After the dedication speeches, Belly spots Conrad in a gray suit and the families share greetings and photos in Susannah’s rose garden, momentarily reviving their old summer dynamic. Belly senses Jeremiah’s unease after Conrad hugs her, but Jeremiah reasserts their couplehood by requesting a photo of just them and kissing her cheek.
On the drive to lunch, Belly suggests delaying their engagement announcement out of respect for Susannah, but Jeremiah insists they proceed and warns her not to take his father’s reaction personally. Seated together, the families exchange small talk; Adam invites Belly to call him by his first name, and Conrad denies having a girlfriend in California.
When champagne is poured, Jeremiah announces their engagement and an August wedding. The table falls silent: Laurel looks ashen, Steven chokes, and Conrad is unreadable. Laurel pointedly asks if Belly is pregnant and scolds her about contraception. Belly insists she is not, and Jeremiah emphasizes it isn’t because of a pregnancy.
Laurel declares they are too young and forbids the marriage, while Adam proposes revisiting the idea after graduation. The server’s return underscores the awkwardness, and Laurel abruptly ends the meal. Belly slips on her engagement ring under the tablecloth; both Jeremiah and Laurel notice, heightening the standoff.
Outside, Conrad quietly departs. Laurel orders Belly to come home with her instead of leaving with Jeremiah. Belly, frightened yet defiant, complies but refuses Laurel’s demand to return the ring, affirming her commitment despite the family’s united opposition.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Torn between nostalgia for Conrad and commitment to Jeremiah; agrees to announce engagement; defies her mother’s demand to return the ring.
- Jeremiah FisherEager fiancé who insists on publicly announcing an August wedding; clashes with parental disapproval but supports Belly.
- Laurel ConklinShocked and angry mother; suspects pregnancy, forbids the marriage, and orders Belly to come home.
- Conrad FisherReturns for the dedication; keeps a calm facade during the announcement and leaves quietly after the confrontation.
- Adam Fisher (Mr. Fisher)Hosts the luncheon, toasts Susannah, and opposes the sudden engagement, urging delay until after graduation.
- Steven ConklinBelly’s brother; reacts with shock, trades remarks with Conrad, and urges Belly to avoid escalating the conflict.