Strings Attached

Part 2.3: Tangled in Love

As she untangled the yarn, Edmund watched her with a soft smile.

"You're amazing, you know that?"

Belle looked up, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"Thank you, Edmund. I'm really glad we're doing this."

"Me too," he replied, his gaze lingering on her face. "You make everything feel so... easy and fun."

They finished their crocheting session with a sense of accomplishment and shared joy. As they tidied up, Belle couldn't help but feel a deepening connection with Edmund, the playful teasing and tender moments weaving their hearts closer together.

"How about we celebrate with a cup of tea? We haven't even had lunch yet!" Belle suggested, heading to the kitchen area.

"Sounds perfect," he agreed, following her. "And maybe you can tell me more about your favourite crochet projects."

"I'd love that." Belle smiled, her heart full.

After sharing tea and digestives, Edmund proposed an idea for their lunch. He picked out the leftovers from the night before. Edmund promised to show Belle a creative way to transform the meal, and she was eager to see what he had in mind.

"Alright, Chef Carson," she said playfully as they unpacked the leftovers. "Show me your magic."

"First things first, we're going to make a delicious frittata with the leftover pasta. It's simple, but trust me, it's amazing." He grinned, rolling up his sleeves.

Belle watched with curiosity as Edmund gathered the ingredients. He pulled out eggs, cheese, some fresh herbs, and the container of leftover pasta.

"Okay, let's start by whisking these eggs," he said, handing her a bowl and a whisk.

Belle took the bowl, her hands moving steadily as she whisked the eggs.

"This already sounds intriguing," she remarked.

Edmund chopped some fresh basil and parsley, then grated a generous amount of Parmesan cheese.

"It's a great way to use up leftovers and still have something that feels fresh and new," he explained.

Once the eggs were whisked, Edmund added the cheese, herbs, and a pinch of salt and pepper. He stirred in the leftover pasta, making sure it was well coated with the egg mixture.

"Now, we just need to cook it," he said, heating up a skillet on the stove. He added a bit of olive oil to the pan, swirling it around before pouring in the pasta and egg mixture. The sizzle filled the kitchen, and Belle's mouth watered at the smell.

"How long does it take to cook?" Belle asked, peeking over his shoulder.

"Just a few minutes," Edmund replied, giving her a sidelong glance and a smile. "You want the bottom to set and get a little crispy before we finish it off in the oven."

While the frittata cooked, they chatted and laughed, enjoying each other's company. Belle found herself constantly impressed by Edmund's ease in the kitchen and the way he made cooking seem like an art form. As they waited for the frittata to finish, Belle set the small kitchen table with a flickering candle and a couple of wine glasses. She poured them each a glass of red wine, handing one to Edmund with a shy smile.

"To creative lunches," she toasted.

Edmund clinked his glass against hers, his eyes locking with hers in the soft candlelight.

"And to wonderful company," he added, his voice low and sincere.

When the timer dinged, Edmund carefully removed the skillet from the oven, revealing a perfectly golden frittata. He let it cool for a moment before slicing it into wedges and serving it on plates.