The Cafe on Mulberry Avenue

The sequel to The Apartment on 3rd Street. This volume centers on Blair, Mia, and Sasha, switching between all three girls' points of view.

The Short Version:
Blair does her romantic poetry thing, which makes things awkward between her and Mia. Sasha's a shipper on deck, which means she spends more time with them, especially Blair. hey, it looks like she and Blair are becoming real friends now! oops, she accidentally a crush on both of them, is that bad? to boot, she's also dealing with her feelings for Carson in light of her new relationship with Lizzie. (welcome to unhappily in love-ville, population: Sasha.) after some coaxing from Sasha, Mia confesses her feelings to Blair. meanwhile, Luke's a good baby brother, and Ethan gets lots of opportunities for little sister teasing. Sasha is not having a fun time, and everyone notices. Blair and Mia realize she loves them, and after some confusion, Sasha joins the Mia/Blair relationship to make a happy poly pile. presumably stuff happens after this, but this is all i've got right now.

The Long Version:
After much begging from her friends, Blair recites one of her poems at the poetry cafe. The poem references Mia, who slowly realizes that her best friend has feelings for her.

Sasha and Ethan understand as well, and Carson has some idea but doesn't want to assume anything about Blair's feelings. Luke has no idea what is going on but thought it was a very pretty poem. There is tension between Blair and Mia afterwards. Blair is agonized over the lack of a verbal response to her poem. She becomes even more sharp and loose with her tongue, while Mia is silent and even more tense than usual for the next two weeks.
 * "wow that was super gay" --Sasha after the performance
 * "i don't get it but it was nice and Mia why do you look so pale are you ok???" --Luke

Sasha intervenes to help them talk about their feelings. (how does she do it??) She suggests many great date spots all over the city. Luke comments over the course of the week that he is very worried about Mia's newfound scarlet complexion. Blair pretends that Sasha is invisible and inaudible. Ethan gains many opportunities to tease his little sister.

Some time later, Mia and Blair stand just outside the poetry cafe, under low streetlights. It's just the two of them on a quiet, cool night. Mia confesses to Blair, tearfully laying out her feelings and fears: how she's afraid of losing Blair, how she's afraid she won't be a good enough girlfriend, how she's afraid of disappointing her, or hurting her, and of being hurt. Blair assuages her fears. She hugs her, they kiss, and agree to tentatively begin a relationship.

...

While Blair's confession is romantic and Mia's is heartbreaking, Sasha's confession is miserable. She sits alone on the curb at 3 in the morning, a bottle of alcohol in hand, and confesses to no one. Sasha texts Carson after another 20 minutes of alcohol-induced misery, and Carson takes her home to the apartment and lets her crash on the couch.

...

Sasha is still processing the fact that Carson is now in a relationship with Lizzie. She goes to an alcohol- and drug-fueled party, which alarms Luke. He confronts her about her feelings for Carson, which she angrily denies.

Later, Sasha breaks down in Mia's arms. Although Mia doesn't know the reason for her tears, she comforts Sasha with a kiss on the temple.

...

Sasha grows increasingly agitated as she deals with her feelings abuot Carson's relationship and Blair and Mia's relationship. Blair and Mia notice.

Sasha joins the ot3. (how does this happen??)

...

The trio's first date: ice skating?

There's a scene where Blair breaks her "no dancing, ever" rule, and dances with Mia and Sasha (possibly at the cafe???).

...

Running joke: Lizzie keeps accidentally walking in on the trio kissing.

Five Times Lizzie Walks in on Blair/Mia/Sasha...

...and One Time They Walk in on Her and Carson
 * "you guys didn't lock the door oMG I'M SO SORRY FOR INTERRUPTING PLS CONTINUE BYE"


 * "you two looked so cute, like a penguin and a giraffe trying to kiss"


 * "...i'm not even going to bother asking how you thought of that particular analogy, Sasha..."

Main characters

 * Lizzie Brooks
 * Carson Mackenzie
 * Sasha Rodriguez
 * Luke Phillips
 * Ethan Lazzari-Qian
 * Mia Lazzari-Qian
 * Blair Moore

Recurring characters

 * Sadie Hawthorne

Chapters (?)
...

Conception
...

Author's Comments
yes my favorite scenes in book 2 generally follow a pattern... "ok but how many gut-wrenching scenes can i have where Sasha is drunk, Blair is earnestly and lovingly honest, and Mia cries... a lot"