Percy persuades Sue to let her work at the Tavern, but Percy’s parents worry that taking the job will tie her even more closely to Sam. Percy insists that Sam is her best friend and that she wants responsibility and her own money. At the restaurant, Percy learns the rhythm of the dining room and kitchen, admires Sue’s competence, notices Charlie’s seriousness on the line, and is happiest when she and Sam share shifts and end the night cleaning up together.

As the hot, dry summer continues, Percy becomes increasingly aware of her attraction to Sam. During an evening in town, Sam casually licks Percy’s melting ice cream, then reveals that he kissed Maeve O’Conor at a school dance. Percy is immediately jealous, though she hides it. Around the Civic Holiday weekend, Percy stays at the cottage without her parents for the first time, helps at the Tavern during a crushing rush, and joins Sam and Charlie in a late-night skinny-dip after work.

The next morning, Sam wakes Percy for her annual lake swim. Before they leave, Mason calls to wish Percy luck, and Percy realizes she barely misses him; Sam notices how unconvincing Percy sounds and asks about the boy Percy likes more. Percy confirms it is the same person she mentioned before but does not name Sam directly. Percy completes the swim faster than last year, proving her progress, and she and Sam enjoy an easy, intimate morning together.

That night, after Percy frightens herself by watching The Blair Witch Project alone during a storm, she calls the Floreks and asks to stay over. Sam comes for her, walks her back through the dark, and lets Percy sleep in his bed because she does not want to be alone. In the safety and privacy of Sam’s room, both admit their nerves, discuss Sam’s past kisses, and finally speak more honestly about desire. Percy tells Sam she would rather kiss him; Sam immediately kisses Percy back, and they make out intensely before stopping because they are close to losing control. In the morning, Sue realizes Percy slept in Sam’s bed and gives both teenagers a frank talk about safety, consent, patience, and respect.

After that, Percy and Sam keep working, swimming, and spending time together, but neither brings up the kiss. Percy drifts further from Mason and plans to end things when she returns to Toronto. Near the end of August, after days of rain, Sam takes Percy to a secluded woodland pool and finally addresses what happened. Sam tells Percy the kiss was the best night of his life and that she matters more to him than rushing into a relationship they are too young and unprepared to handle. He says he wants everything with Percy eventually, but not yet, because he fears damaging their friendship and future. Percy is hurt and frustrated, even though she understands his reasoning, and the summer ends with their feelings confessed but unresolved.