Three teenage girls who spend each summer together in the small beach town of Hubbard's Point, pledge their lifelong friendship to one another. As years go by, they grow apart, until the death of one of the girls.
Nell tells Stevie that Maddie was driving the car the night of the accident that killed Nell's mother. Maddie decides to come to town to visit on Nell's invitation.
Maddie's husband decides to walk out on her. Shortly after, Maddie learns that she's pregnant. Sam tells Clare's mother that she's sleeping with a cop. After Clare is kicked out of her house, Nell convinces Stevie to let Clare stay with her.
Jack is stunned to find fresh flowers on his dead wife's grave even as the mystery behind her secret cash account continues. Clare lies on the stand and says her relationship with Marty began when she was 17 to keep him out of jail. Skye learns that Cooper broadcast their intimate encounter to the internet. Francesca ends her relationship with Jack.
Nell is fortunate to survive her car accident unscathed. Nell saves a drowning child at the beach but is then criticized by her superior. Maddie and Jack patch things up after Maddie comes to him with the truth behind the accident. Jack confronts the Reverend who shared the affair with his wife. Jack decides to take the Los Angeles job.
Nell prepares for the move to Los Angeles. Sam is given three years probation on the bribery charge after the community shows support. Stevie confronts Jack on the real reasons why he wants to move away. Jack returns from Los Angeles to talk about his feelings for Stevie.