In a flashback, Declan and Blair easily transition from friends to romantic partners. They do homework together at Declan’s house after school, and Blair notices mail from Notre Dame, and Declan tries to avoid the topic before revealing that Notre Dame wants him for football. Blair only got a full scholarship to Pepperdine, thousands of miles away from Notre Dame. Blair thinks a long-distance relationship is feasible, while Declan knows that he won’t have time, between school and football, to keep a functioning relationship with Blair. He suggests that she come with him to Indiana, as once he’s in the NFL he can support her.

Blair refuses to give up on college to follow Declan, as her father promised to financially support her mother before becoming abusive and giving up on their family. Blair refuses to make herself dependent on Declan and can’t understand how he could suggest that knowing about her painful past. Blair refuses to make the same mistake as her mother and leaves Declan’s house swiftly.

In the present timeline, Blair wakes up and feels embarrassed about crying in front of Declan. She sees texts in her group chat with Roshi and Faye with a funny anecdote about one of Roshi’s classmates. Blair feels hurt that neither of them have checked in with her about her grief, so she avoids responding in the chat to see how long it’ll take them to notice her absence.

Her mother comes into the guest house and updates Blair about Lottie’s will: Lottie left Blair a cottage closer to downtown Seabrook, and Lottie left Blair’s mother the large house and all seven convenience stores. Blair realizes that Lottie’s taken care of her mother, and now Blair’s own future feels uncertain. She decides to go see the cottage.

Blair and her mother visit the house Lottie left Blair. It’s a beautiful single-story home with a well-kept lavender field in the back. Lottie bought the house before Blair and her mother moved to Seabrook and rented it to family friends before converting it into a short-term rental. Blair loves the house, but her mother tells her that she’s called a realtor so Blair can consider all her options. Blair can tell her mother doesn’t want her to move to New York, but her mother refuses to say how she actually feels. Blair finally asks her mother if she knows why Blair is really moving to New York and confesses the truth: She took the job to take care of her mother financially, which is a pressure she’s felt for years.

Her mother consoles her and tells Blair the actual truth, which is that her mother only worked in Lottie’s convenience store because she wanted to earn money of her own, when in reality Lottie would have taken care of both Blair and her mother regardless. Her mother didn’t want to rely on Lottie like she relied on Blair’s father, and they only lived with Lottie because Blair’s mother wanted to provide Blair with a loving childhood with two adult family members. Blair realizes the adults in her life are more three-dimensional than she thought; Lottie could’ve been a partying teenager and a responsible adult in one individual.

Blair sees her old copy of Divergent and opens it to see a page with a note that reads “D+B=<3” (156). Blair’s mother recommends that Blair ask Declan for help with the house, but Blair doesn’t think Declan would offer aid. Blair looks outside and sees Declan pulling a trash can in from in front of a house across the street, and Blair realizes he lives there now.

Blair enjoys making lattes at work. She considers her two paths: Staying in the cottage in Seabrook or going to New York to work at EY. Staying at the cottage would force Blair to face her grief about Lottie, while New York could let her avoid it for longer.

Blair struggles with her proximity to Declan, as her old feelings resurface and he seems distant. Going to New York seems the most emotionally safe path. Harper invites Blair out bowling with their other coworkers, and Blair lies that her mother needs her help with things, so she might not make it. A customer named Calvin asks Blair for her number, and she asks Declan for a pen to write it down. Declan seems uncomfortable but gives her the pen. Declan knows Calvin but doesn’t let on how close they are. Blair asks for more overtime, but Declan says everyone is going bowling and encourages Blair to join. Blair agrees.

Blair arrives at the bowling alley and sees some of the other coffee shop employees, including Harper. Harper disappears to get a pint of beer, and Blair joins the others. Harper returns with a beer, and Declan arrives and pulls her to the side. Declan returns and says he sent Harper home, and Blair wonders if Harper is underage or not allowed to drink at work events.

Declan asks Blair about the cottage, as he saw her mother’s car outside his house. Blair questions him about his house, and he says he’s lived there for two and a half years without any roommates. Blair wonders why he doesn’t live with his family anymore. Blair says she plans to sell the cottage and go to New York, and Declan asks her why she doesn’t consider staying in Seabrook. Blair says there’s nothing there for her, and Declan looks at her longingly. He stands and talks to their other coworkers before returning to Blair and asking if she intends to go out with Calvin, whom Declan doesn’t think is worth her time. Blair says Declan would know about that, implying she thinks that Declan doesn’t think she’s worth his time. Declan tells her that she’s always been worth his time. Blair pays for her lemonades and leaves early.