Page 58 of Dating Goals
“Is…is this part of the lesson?”
“Oh, honey, I’m just getting started.”
The helicopter pilot clears his throat behind me, reminding us we have somewhere to be. Somewhere that involves me playing spy against my boss while pretending I’m just taking the most beautiful woman in Switzerland to a fancy party. No pressure.
“Your chariot awaits,” I say, offering my arm. When she takes it, I nearly forget about Malcolm Chase, the FIS, and whatever financial crimes might be happening at this gala.
“You never said we’d be taking a helicopter,” she says as she looks at the sleek machine. “I’ve never been in one before.”
“I probably should’ve mentioned this is a helicopter ride,” I say, helping Anika up the steps.
She clutches my arm with surprising strength, her eyes sparkling and excited. “Is this standard dating coach protocol?”
I laugh, settling in beside her. “The party’s at a private ski chalet tucked away in the mountains just on the other side of the valley. Since there are no cars allowed in Zermatt, it’s helicopter or skis.”
“Ah yes, because skiing in this gown would be completely practical.” She smooths the midnight blue fabric with a smirk. “Though I would’ve paid good money to see you try in that tuxedo.”
Her smile is pure mischief.
The pilot turns around, giving us a thumbs-up. Anika’s grip on my arm tightens.
“Don’t worry, they’ll wait until you’re settled before starting the rotors. Wouldn’t want to ruin that hair.” I wink, then immediately wonder if that was too flirty.
“My hero,” she deadpans, but her smile says she appreciates the gesture.
When the rotors start spinning and we lift off, Anika’s entire face transforms. She presses her face against the window. The setting sun catches her profile, turning her skin golden and her hair into living flame.
“Griffin! Look at how small everything is!” She points excitedly. “There’s S’Holzfass! And the trail where I caught you chopping wood half-naked!”
“I wasn’t half-naked,” I protest, but can’t help grinning at her enthusiasm.
“Tell that to my retinas. They’re still recovering.”
The helicopter banks, and the Matterhorn comes into spectacular view. Anika gasps, reaching for my hand without thinking. Her fingers intertwine with mine, warm and soft.
“It’s like a different world up here,” she shouts over the noise. “Is this how you always travel? Private helicopters and limousines?”
“Only on Fridays,” I deadpan. “Tuesdays are strictly hot air balloons.”
She laughs, and I instinctively squeeze her hand.
“And on Thursdays you walk down the mountain trail to S’Holzfass to get beaten.”
“I will try to keep far away from your fist.”
“I meant beaten at cards.”
The helicopter rises higher, and the Alps spread out beneath us in a breathtaking panorama of snowcapped peaks and valleys. Anika drinks in the view.
I can’t help thinking about what the FIS agents told me about Anika after they ran their background check. Clean as a whistle,they said. No criminal record, no suspicious connections. Just a hardworking bartender who inherited her father’s pub and makes a mean Old Fashioned.
I glance at her profile as she gazes out the window, and something twists in my chest. I want to tell her the truth about tonight—that I’m basically playing spy against Malcolm Chase, that there might be actual danger involved. I should tell her about the Ponzi scheme, about the FIS agents who will be watching us tonight, about how this isn’t just a fancy date but potentially dangerous.
But the agents warned me in no uncertain terms to keep Anika blissfully unaware. And to be honest, seeing her like this, radiant with excitement, I don’t think I could bring myself to shatter that. Instead, I just squeeze her hand and enjoy this moment of pure joy on her face, storing it away in my memory like the precious thing it is.
“It’s incredible,” she shouts, pointing to where the last rays of sun are hitting the Matterhorn.
“Yeah,” I say, not looking at the mountain at all. I’m watching the way her eyes light up, how her lips part slightly in wonder, the delicate curve of her neck where the necklace I sent rests against her skin. “Absolutely magical.”
