his throat.
“Annie – I, uh. Well, this is a little awkward. I really didn’t mean for things to turn out quite like this.”
What is he talking about? Annie wondered, staring at him as he looked more and more uncomfortable.
“I could just explain this away by saying it’s all Photoshop or something,” Beau went on after a moment. “But… that wouldn’t be the truth. And I won’t lie to you, Annie. I would never, ever do that. Even if it makes things a little difficult. But maybe it just means I should have told you right from the beginning.”
Annie shook her head. “Beau, look – I won’t lie to you either. I have no idea what you’re talking about right now.”
Beau grimaced. “No. I guess not.” He lifted his phone, holding it out to her. “Take another look.”
Frowning, Annie took the phone from him. She tapped the screen. The same message and photos popped up immediately: the same joyfully flying creature, seeming to be dancing in the air amidst the delicate flakes of snow. It really was a very well-done bit of art.
What’s the name for an animal like this? Annie wondered, cocking her head. It was some kind of mythical creature – that much was clear. But what did Beau want her to see in it?
“So this is, uh, like a griffin or something?” she asked, uncertain.
“A hippogriff. Half horse, half eagle.”
“Oh. Right.” Annie looked back down at the photo, still not sure what Beau was hoping she’d say. Finally, she looked up at him. “Am I… supposed to be seeing something in it?”
Beau swallowed, then nodded. “Annie – take another look.” He paused, then shook his head. “No, that’s just me avoiding having to tell you straight.” Beau took a deep breath. “Annie, I know this’ll sound crazy, but that’s not Photoshop. It’s real.”
Annie’s first impulse was to laugh.
But she forced herself to swallow it down, looking back down at the phone.
True, the picture did look real.
But it can’t be. It can’t possibly be – griffins, hippogriffs… those things aren’t real. They’re like unicorns and pegasus and whatever else. They’re just fairy stories…
Then, finally, it hit her.
She’d thought Beau was too good to be true, and now, she finally realized that she’d been right.
“Is this a joke?” she asked, putting down his phone and pushing it across the table toward him. “You think this kind of thing is funny?”
She shuddered at the coldness in her own voice. Something within her rose up, telling her she was wrong, that she was making a huge mistake, but she ruthlessly pushed it back down again.
“I’m sorry?” Beau asked, looking even more confused. “Annie, I –”
“Don’t bother,” Annie said, standing up. “I get it now – hope you had a fun afternoon leading me on. More fool me. But I get it now. Thanks for the soup – I’ll take mine with me, so at least I can say I got something out of today – other than entertaining you, I suppose.”
Honestly, how stupid does he think I am? she thought, swallowing hard. Was this the new game for hot douchebags or something? Leading a girl on, seeing just how much he could make her believe? Did they win points on the internet or something like that?
Gross, Annie thought. But at least I didn’t fall for it – well, not for too long, anyway.
“Annie, what’re you – no, I promise, it’s the truth.” Beau had stood up too now, and was looking at her with a kind of wild desperation in his eyes. “I swear, Annie, I’m not lying. This isn’t some kind of game. I promise you.”
For a moment, Annie was tempted to believe him. He sounded so sincere, and the look in his eyes…
Again, she felt that same tug in her chest, that same voice in her heart trying to stop her from walking away.
You’re wrong. He’s telling the truth. Just wait and listen to him. Hear him out.
Annie closed her eyes, willing herself not to listen to it. But she still somehow couldn’t bring herself to turn away.
“Annie – look. Please believe me.” Beau’s voice was low and urgent. “Or… you don’t have to believe me. I’ll show you.”
“Show me what?” Annie asked, her voice sharp.
Beau hesitated. “It’s hard to explain. But I promise, if you’ll come with me, it’ll explain… well, most things. Or at least it’ll prove I’m not lying. And then you can ask me any questions you like, and I promise I’ll answer them.”
Annie took a