Page 63 of Dating Goals
“Griffin,” she starts, but whatever she was about to say is interrupted when a familiar voice cuts through our moment.
“Griffin McGregor! What a delightful surprise!”
Malcolm Chase materializes before us, his expensive suit somehow shinier than everyone else’s, his smile just as artificial as I remember.
“Mr. Chase,” I manage, straightening my spine. “Good to see you.”
“Please, call me Malcolm.” His overly white veneers on full display as he shakes my hand. Then his gaze slides to Anika in a way that makes my arm hair stand on end. “And who is this vision?”
“My date, Anika,” I say, pulling her slightly closer. “Anika, this is Malcolm Chase, owner of the Toronto Titans.”
“Enchanted,” Malcolm purrs, taking her hand and bending to kiss it. His lips linger a beat too long, and I feel my temperature rising.
Anika extracts her hand with practiced grace. “Charmed.”
My jaw clenches so hard I’m surprised my teeth don’t crack.
“I must say, you two were quite the spectacle on the dance floor.” Malcolm’s eyes rake over Anika again. “Where did you find such a talented partner, Griffin?”
“Just lucky, I guess,” I say, fighting the urge to step between them.
Malcolm turns his attention back to me, his expression sharpening. “I didn’t realize you were among our top investors. I don’t recall seeing your name on the exclusive invitation list.”
I force a casual shrug. “The Titans stock has been particularly interesting to follow.”
“Has it now?” Something calculating flashes in his eyes.
“I try to get in on every opportunity I can. Hockey careers don’t last forever, you know.”
Malcolm raises an eyebrow, looking almost impressed. “Indeed. Smart man. Perhaps smarter than I gave you credit for.”
“Don’t let this goofy face fool you,” I joke, immediately regretting it.
His lip twitches slightly, and after a beat of uncomfortable silence, he glances at his watch. “I should be moving along.”
He begins to turn from us, but I can’t let him go. The FIS agents prompted me to get in his inner circle at any cost. In a panic, I blurt, “My financial advisor has been particularly impressed with the offshore investments.”
This stops him in his tracks. As a casual investor, I’m not supposed to know about the offshore shell companies.
He gives me a sideways glance. “Perhaps we should discuss your…investment portfolio over a drink sometime.”
“Why not now?” I say, seizing the opening. “I’d love to hear more about future opportunities. Maybe join you at your table?”
Malcolm’s smile tightens at the corners. “Another time, perhaps. I have many guests to greet tonight.” He turns back to Anika with that predatory smile. “But do enjoy the party. The caviar is imported directly from the Caspian Sea. Nearly extinct, just like good manners.”
With a final lingering look at Anika, he melts back into the crowd.
“Well, he’s a delight,” Anika mutters once he’s out of earshot.
I laugh, tension draining from my shoulders. “That’s Malcolm for you.”
“Is he always so…”
“Slimy? Pretentious? Like he’s mentally undressing every woman in the room?”
“I was going to say like a movie villain who bathes in the tears of his enemies, but yours works too.” She wrinkles her nose. “How do you work for someone like that?”
“Technically, I work for the team,” I say, guiding her toward a quieter corner. “Malcolm just signs the checks.”
