Bagel Nook Princeton Novels & Stories

He looked very put together in a crisp white shirt with a light gray cardigan over it. "Let's go. I'll take you out for bagels." Ten years later, the cafe was still there. The owner was still the same man, Aaron Becker, though his hair had gone a little grayer. "Heather, you're back!" Mr. Becker beamed from ear to ear when he saw me. "Yep. Two smoked salmon bagels, please," I said. "Coming right up!" The bagels tasted exactly the way they used to. I ate slowly, as if savoring everything I had lost over those ten years.

We wanted the day to feel welcoming, not forced. Amina and Noah arrived at the house around nine-thirty. Noah carried a small paper bag and looked more relaxed than the day before. “I brought bagels from the bakery near the train station,” he said, setting them on the table. “Amina said they’re your favorite, Zara. And I got some local honey for the pancakes.” Elias shook his hand again, this time with a genuine smile. “You’re going to spoil us. Thank you.”

I nodded "Thanks for the bagels, Julio. Is this place yours?" "Mine and my wife's. Well enjoy, Eleanor." he replied before moving to greet other visitors. My hand opens the paper bagel cover, the smell of smoked salmon and spices wafting through the air makes my stomach grow hungry, I haven't eaten since arriving in Manhattan yesterday afternoon. I finished my bagel while looking out the window, my eyes caught the SUV from earlier. The SUV stopped at an office building not far from this bagel restaurant.

With no time left to waste. “Nora at your service, sir. What would you like to have?” I bowed, having my hand behind my back and the other forward as I asked him. Deep down, I shouldn’t even think of asking him and just prepare the quickest meal I know, but here we are. “Bagel with lox and cream cheese will do.” I wasn’t aware of when I swatted my hands back to my sides and snapped my head straight up at him, huh? That huge of a meal? This is either intentional, not possibly a craving.

The bakery was within walking distance of campus, so I decided to take a short walk. “Hey, Cole. I’ll be at the bakery outside campus.” I let him know over the phone. “Okay, Miss Hart.” He replied before hanging up. The sky was bright and clear with the sun being a nice contrast to the cold weather we had been getting. I pushed the bakery’s door open and my stomach grumbled at the smell that hit my nose. Bagels. I wanted one. I headed to the counter to get it. “Hey.” I smiled at the young girl behind the counter.

I thought my refusal to acknowledge said presence would give him a hint to get away from me. I headed towards the breakroom with Elijah hot on my ass and walked straight towards the coffee pot. I eyed the bagels that Elijah purchased from Panera and quickly looked away. Those bagels were tempting as hell, especially the cinnamon raisin ones with some honey walnut cream cheese. My traitorous stomach decided to growl at that moment. I had never wanted to punch myself in the stomach so fucking bad than I did in that moment. “You should eat,” Elijah suggested. And you should suck my dick.

She greeted me with a welcoming smile, "Good morning, dear. There's hot water in that basin if you'd like to wash up. We're having bagels with cream cheese. They smell delicious." At the mention of food, my stomach grumbled loudly. Pushing aside my unanswered questions, I washed up with the hot water Ava had left for me. Just as I finished, the aroma of freshly baked bagels wafted through the kitchen, creating a heavenly atmosphere that lifted my spirits. Of course, that was assuming there were no human traffickers involved. As breakfast was laid out, I was about to ask where Nico had gone when the kitchen door opened, and four men walked in.

Due to having breakfast, a tiny plastic spoon sat there on the counter. I headed toward the kitchen out of habit craving tea soup anything for bone ache relief. That’s when it was seen by me then. A white box is what the kitchen island holds. It was tied with a ribbon to be small and unassuming. The ribbon was cream. No name on it. No tag. My heart beat. It beat in a gentle way within my chest. I knew that box. I knew the ribbon. That exact twine was used at Petite Douceur the only bakery in Manhattan on 9th Avenue. Nearly one year went by since my visit.

"And don't give me any healthy options. I know you athletes are obsessed with that stuff." To my surprise, he shook his head. "Actually, I'm craving junk food." That immediately earned my attention. "How about pizza?" "Fabulous choice." I was already packing my things. Noah returned the book to its shelf before we headed out together. The pastry shop near the library was busy when we arrived. The smell hit me instantly. Fresh bread, sugar, coffee, dough. My stomach growled, while Noah laughed. We placed our order and found a table by the window. Outside, students crossed campus beneath the afternoon sun.

Noah Noah was grinning widely like a Cheshire cat when he walked out of the elevator, his hand clasping firmly over Haru’s who was beside him. “I heard they have nice food here,” he said as they headed toward the entrance of the restaurant located on the fifth floor of The Princeton Hotel and Resort. “You’ll like it.” “Ugh! I’m so hungry, I can eat anything,” Haru said.