Bagel Nook Princeton Novels & Stories

“Didn’t expect you today.” I closed the door behind me and took a seat, crossing one leg neatly over the other. His office smelled of coffee and fading cologne. A stack of folders sat precariously on one end of his desk, half-crushed paper cups on the other. “Your assistant told me you skipped breakfast,” I lied, although I knew he always skipped breakfast, sliding a small brown paper bag across the table. Inside, a smoked salmon everything bagel from Harlem Deli, his favourite. “Thanks,” he muttered, but didn’t touch it. Instead, he leaned back, eyes flicking briefly to the papers spread across his mahogany desk.

Rosalyn nearly crashed into a human wall when she left her apartment. "Morning, honey." Eric leaned against her doorframe, holding a paper bag with the Sunrise Sizzle logo and shook it at her. "Your husband brought you breakfast." Rosalyn was speechless as she looked at the paper bag in his hand. It would take at least an hour in line to get breakfast from Sunrise Sizzle. Eric noticed her gaze and lifted the paper bag. "It's your favorite bagel and oat milk." "No, thanks." Rosalyn walked past him and headed for the elevator.

Three days passed. Roman, using his network of informants, reported that Hazel had started her internship in the PR department of Quinn Enterprises. Her routine was setting in: arriving at eight, and grabbing lunch around one at a small cafe called "The Nook," just two blocks from the office. It was a popular spot for young professionals because of the great coffee and cozy vibe, with small booths that offered a bit of privacy. "This is perfect," Diego muttered, studying the photos of The Nook that Roman had sent. "Does she go alone?"