Grown-ish Season 3 Ending Explained: Zoey, Aaron, and the Complicated Love Triangle

The issue of whether Zoey and Aaron would go from being friends to something more has lingered for three years among grown-ish watchers. In the episode before the finale, we saw both of them behaving like more than just friends, even though Aaron already had a girlfriend, Rochelle.

Remember Rochelle? She even went as far as telling Zoey that she didn’t want any rivalry and proposed that they all become friends. Zoey, however, felt deeply ashamed since she had just slept with Aaron. And then Aaron, in a blunt moment, told Zoey that she was simply “the girl who floats in and out” of his life.

And left him emotionally confused. But Zoey didn’t take that statement lightly—she made it clear she had returned to school after quitting her job with Joey Badass, meaning she was done drifting.

Aaron’s Graduation Protest and Mixed Emotions

Thursday’s Season 3 finale, titled Who Do You Love?, brought a level of closure to this tangled situation. Aaron began the episode still actively confronting injustice. Instead of accepting Cal U’s offer to wipe his tuition debt clean as a way to silence him over their ties to private prisons, he led another protest.

Dressed in orange prison jumpsuits, he and his fellow graduates from different backgrounds stood united in calling out the institution’s actions, right during their graduation ceremony.

Despite the triumph of protesting on his graduation day and finishing college, Aaron was distracted by thoughts of Zoey and Rochelle. Seeking advice, he met up with Doug and Vivek, but their inputs weren’t helpful.

Vivek suggested Zoey might be selfish in relationships, but Aaron quickly corrected him, insisting she wasn’t. That sort of candid exchange is the kind Zoey and Ana should have had about Aaron earlier, but they didn’t. Shortly after that, Rochelle came to share the big news that the school had agreed to divest.

She then kissed Aaron in celebration. Aaron tried to talk things through with Zoey, but Vivek’s interruption led Zoey to leave in frustration, dressed in a patterned outfit with her hair styled in a braided ponytail. When she got home, she found Luca, who had been helping Nomi take care of her baby.

Luca was working on what looked like a vision board, though he refused to call it that.

Luca’s Honesty and Zoey’s Self-Reflection

Luca didn’t show much emotion when Zoey told him she had been with Aaron. Remember, they had dated before, too. Instead of reacting strongly, Luca said Zoey and Aaron deserved one another—and there it was, the petty remark. You have to respect it.

Later, after Jazz and Doug arrived and Doug behaved ridiculously due to being drunk, Zoey decided to revisit Luca’s comment. She asked what he meant, and Luca reminded her how, during their relationship, he often asked if she had feelings for Aaron. Zoey insisted she didn’t at the time.

But given her actions, it was hard to believe. Luca’s suspicion seemed valid because not long after he left, Zoey sent a message to Aaron asking if he was still awake. They met in front of his dorm, where Zoey offered an apology. “I’m sorry for everything,” she said, referring to their years of inconsistent behavior.

She also apologized for putting a strain on their friendship. Aaron acknowledged that they were both grown and had made mistakes. Then Zoey took a bold step: she expressed her love for Aaron but explained that she would step away so that he could be with Rochelle freely.

She hoped that maybe they could be together in the future, when there was no guilt involved.

Aaron’s Decision and the Door Left Open

After driving away, Zoey appeared ready to leave things behind. But then, Aaron showed up at her place. “I want our story to start now,” he said. “Like, right now.” He also said he loved her. That led to a passionate kiss between them, followed by joyful smiles.

Very sweet moment. But what will become of Rochelle? Perhaps Season 4 will provide clarity on that part.