After finishing their ice creams, Percy and Sam linger outside the Tavern, both awkward about parting. Percy admits being back in Barry’s Bay feels overwhelming, and Sam invites her inside for a drink instead of letting her leave. In the empty restaurant, Percy is flooded by memories, especially when she studies an old Florek family photo, and Sam finally admits that seeing Percy again feels like being "punched in the heart." Percy wants to explain the painful way they last parted, but fear stops her, so she asks only for more time and Sam agrees to postpone the conversation.

As they continue drinking whisky, the tension softens into flirtation and old familiarity. Percy tells Sam about her recent breakup, and Sam remembers small details about her, including her love of horror movies, which makes Percy feel both seen and shaken. Their conversation turns to Delilah and the years they lost, and their teasing grows more intimate. Then Sam confesses that during university he kept buying horror movies because they reminded him of Percy, even though he could not bear to watch them without her; Percy admits she stopped watching them for the same reason. The exchange confirms that both of them carried their history long after their separation.

The moment breaks when a woman named Taylor arrives at the Tavern looking for Sam. Percy first assumes Taylor is Sam’s cousin, but Taylor coolly identifies herself as Sam’s girlfriend. Percy is blindsided and humiliated, especially after realizing she and Sam have been drinking alone and laughing together. Because Percy is too drunk to walk steadily, Sam and Taylor drive her back to her motel, where Percy forces herself through small talk, learns Taylor is a prosecutor who has been with Sam for about two and a half years, and leaves the car feeling jealous, embarrassed, and sick. Once inside her room, Percy vomits.

The next morning, Percy wakes hungover but encouraged by one thing: she is now sure the bond between her and Sam still exists. She tells herself that although she damaged their relationship, she did not erase what they felt for each other. Taylor’s presence complicates that hope, however, and Percy tries to distract herself by planning a swim and avoiding a phone call from her friend Chantal. Percy instead texts Chantal that she ran into Sam.

Before Percy can leave, Sam arrives at her motel room with coffee and breakfast as an apology for overserving her. Percy immediately needles him about Taylor, but when Sam begins to explain, she stops him because she does not want to hear details about their relationship. Sam says Taylor had to return to Kingston for an urgent case, though she may come back for Sue’s funeral. He then invites Percy to the lake. During the drive in Sue’s pickup, Percy debates whether she should confess everything about the past or limit herself to an apology, now that Sam appears to have moved on. When they turn onto Bare Rock Lane, Percy is overcome by memory, and Sam quietly reassures her by squeezing her knee as they arrive.