Charlie joins Alice in the water, teasing her about the Pegasus floatie she’s using. Then he gives her a ride on the Jet Ski. They tour the bay while chatting. Then Charlie suggests they jump into the lake from the cliff to check off one of Alice’s bucket list items. Alice agrees. Although nervous, she races off the cliff and plunges into the water ahead of Charlie. Then they swim back to shore. Back at the dock, Charlie remarks on what a unique person Alice is before asking if he can give Harrison her number. He also promises to attend her birthday party the next day.

Alice takes Nan to the hair salon in town. She feels uncomfortable when Charlie drives by and everyone in the shop starts talking about him. When they insist he’s been with countless women, Nan urges them to mind their business. That evening, Charlie texts Alice wishing her a happy birthday, but she doesn’t reply.

Luca and Lavinia text Alice to apologize—they can’t come to her birthday party after all. Alice studies the party supplies she bought, trying not to feel disappointed. After a brief chat with her mom—who moved to British Columbia after divorcing Alice’s father—Alice decides to make herself a cake. She runs into Charlie at the store where she’s buying a box mix. He tells her to put the mix back and promises to bring her a cake that night.

Alice dons Heather’s green dress from for her party. While she’s finishing up dinner, Charlie arrives with a homemade layer cake, wine, and scotch for Nan. The three enjoy dinner together, chatting about John’s plans for the cottage. Nan grows sad at the mention of Joyce, one of her closest friends. She then remarks on how sad John and Joyce were when Charlie’s father died when Charlie was young. Alice is shocked, as Charlie’s mom died young, too.

After dinner, Alice and Charlie mess around with glitter and nail polish. They chat with Nan about Alice’s original summer on the lake and enjoy Charlie’s cake. Then a splashing sound from the lake interrupts them. Charlie announces that his brother Sam and Sam’s wife Percy have come to find him.

Sam and Percy arrive on their boat. Because it’s Canada Day, they invite Alice and Charlie to come watch the fireworks with them. After informing Nan, the four head out on the water. While watching the show, Charlie asks why Alice never introduced herself to him and Sam when she was in town as a teenager. She explains how shy she was.

Alice accepts Sam and Percy’s invitation to come over the next day. Percy greets her at the door. They have a pleasant conversation until they hear Sam and Charlie arguing. Percy insists everything is fine but suggests they intervene. Outside, Alice overhears Percy and Sam whispering their speculations about her and Charlie’s relationship.

Alice and Nan spend the next week making new linens for the rest of the house. Every afternoon, Charlie stops over to do “odd jobs around the cottage” (142). Alice wonders if he’s avoiding his family, but doesn’t ask. Instead, they swim together after he finishes working.

Then one day, Alice has to field confusing communications with Willa. After she tells Willa that she won’t edit the photos, Willa sends back a terse, one-word response.

To quell her anxiety, Alice dons her new bathing suit and joins Charlie out on the water while Nan naps. They chat about Alice’s list. Charlie suggests they embark on a teenage summer to check off all the items together. The conversation turns to their families. Charlie’s parents were in love and he had an idyllic childhood until his dad died suddenly at 35—the same age Charlie is now. His mom was so heartbroken that it was difficult for her to care for him and Sam. Charlie assumed a lot of the responsibility. To cope, he partied and slept around. Alice was tamer, but her childhood was challenging too, as her parents split up and her mom moved to the other side of the country. She hasn’t had a lot of relationships. Charlie changes the subject back to the list, insisting they do it together.

Charlie suggests that Harrison might be a good match for her, but Alice isn’t interested in dating. They admit frustrations with past relationships. Charlie guesses that Alice needs someone who takes care of her as well as she takes care of others. He confesses that he’s not good at committed relationships, but used to want one. He then changes the subject back to Harrison, and Alice agrees to go out with him.

Alice and Harrison go on a dinner date. They enjoy themselves, but agree that they don’t feel a connection. Back at the cottage, Alice finds Charlie and Nan.

Alice gets upset when she discovers that Charlie gave Nan marijuana edibles. The living room is filled with junk food litter, too. After Nana goes to bed, Charlie explains that Nan asked him “to take her to the cannabis store in town” (163) and he thought the edibles might help with her pain. Their conversation becomes intimate and they almost kiss, but Charlie pulls away, insisting they stay just friends.

Alice retreats to the boathouse the next day, upset over what happened with Charlie. To distract herself, she does some sketching. Charlie appears, interrupting her reverie. When he asks to talk, Alice wants to avoid a conversation about their relationship. Charlie opens up about his mom’s death instead. He still feels guilty for not being present enough when she was sick. He thought helping Nan in her time of need might be atonement for failing to show up for his mom. When he starts crying, Alice comforts him, suggesting they take a swim.

Alice spends the following week editing photos and preparing for her niece Bennett’s upcoming visit. Heather is supposed to bring Bennett to Barry’s Bay to spend a few days. In the meantime, Alice and Charlie spend time together on the lake. Alice photographs everything they do.

One night, Charlie and Alice eat some of Nan’s edibles and do a puzzle—one of Alice’s bucket list items. Feeling uninhibited, she shows Charlie “One Golden Summer.” Charlie is overwhelmed by emotion. He explains that his friend is the one who bought Alice’s print years ago. He tried finding the photographer but could never track her down. The photo is meaningful to him because it captures a happier time with Sam and Percy. The moment turns intimate. However, Charlie pulls away just as Alice moves towards him to kiss. Alice is embarrassed. Charlie explains that he doesn’t want to ruin their friendship by kissing or having sex.

Alice wakes up on the couch the next morning. She tells Nan what happened with Charlie. Nan suggests that their friendship is special, and urges her not to give up on the possibility of a romance with Charlie. Alice is skeptical, but wonders if Nan is right.