“Fine, but next time you’re not allowed to pull anything like that.”Aria tried to glare, but the effect was more adorable than intimidating.Archer played along. “Mm, I wouldn’t dare.”He said it with all seriousness, though whether he truly meant it—only he knew.By the time noon had passed, they’d each taken care of a bit of work. As evening drew closer, they tidied up and got ready to head to the Jackson home.…Rachel had prepared dinner herself.On the table was a colorful salad of julienned carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers, lightly dressed with olive oil and balsamic, sprinkled with sesame seeds for crunch.Beside it sat a platter of meatballs in rich tomato-herb sauce, each one large and hearty, with bits of finely chopped onion and celery folded in for texture. They were browned on the outside, tender inside, and the sauce clung to them with a mouthwatering aroma.There was also a dish of garlic-butter shrimp laid neatly over angel-hair pasta, the noodles soaking
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