He clearly saw it as an opportunity for something fishy. Its been many years since I had a new job but I recall I always used former bosses and coworkers for references and recommendations and many of them were men. They never ever invited me for lunch or dinner, let alone drinks in order to provide a reference. Usually phone conversations or emails are more than sufficient. They don’t need to go out with me to provide me with references, they already know me! They can provide it based on what they know or call me and ask me questions if need to

Clearly he had an agenda. This guy is sneaky and arrogant. I’d accept his references and would go no contact. He doesn’t need continuous interaction, one reference is enough.

I wonder how your husband felt about this? Men usually understand how other men operate. Did he not suspect this guy inviting you out was up to no good?