The Summer I Turned Pretty, #3
We'll Always Have Summer
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Fifty-One
Overview
On the night before the wedding, Conrad unravels after witnessing Jeremiah kiss Belly at dinner. Back at the house, Laurel invites Conrad to share a beer, gently pushes him to be honest, and comforts him as he admits his heartbreak. Grieving Susannah together, they resolve to face the wedding day side by side.
Summary
Conrad narrates the aftermath of a tense family dinner where Jeremiah publicly kisses Belly, intensifying Conrad’s turmoil. As friends head to the boardwalk for ice cream and the fathers depart to their hotel, the house quiets, leaving only Conrad and Laurel.
Laurel invites Conrad to sit with her and have a beer. They toast half-ironically to the “happy couple,” and Laurel asks Conrad how he is truly doing. Dropping his guard, Conrad admits the situation is “pretty much killing” him.
Laurel responds with tenderness, taking Conrad’s hand and refusing to let go when he tries to pull away. She promises they will get through the next day together and confides that she misses Susannah, voicing the absence they both feel.
Conrad agrees that they need Susannah now more than ever. Overcome by grief and heartbreak, he bows his head and cries, supported by Laurel as they prepare themselves for the wedding to come.
Who Appears
- Conrad FisherNarrator; devastated by Belly and Jeremiah’s engagement; admits the pain and breaks down, mourning Susannah.
- Laurel DunneComforts Conrad with a late-night beer; urges honesty, holds his hand, and grieves Susannah with him.