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caseworker visited and thought it wasn't a good environment."
He leans back against a log and hands me a glass of wine. I sit next to him,
and feel his arm drape around my back.
    "Did you always plan on getting into
construction?"
    "Well, I planned on finding some security. Construction
was one of the only jobs I could get, but I found I loved it. I like building
something that feels permanent. And then I started to see things in the
business I thought could be done better, and I started doing my own research
and taking some classes... and now here I am."
    "Simple as that, huh?" I smile, thinking of how
many hardships he must be leaving out.
    "Pretty much," he grins. I take a long sip of my
wine, feeling its smoky flavor run down my throat. We start picking at the
food, and gradually I find myself relaxing into him. A couple of hours later,
I'm in a tipsy state of bliss, my legs hanging over his, and his hand tangled
in my hair as he rubs my neck.
    "Tell me truthfully, Boone," I say, running my finger
down the side of his cheek. He always seems to have just the slightest bit of
stubble. "This the first time you've brought a date here?"
    "First time. I swear, Callie," he says seriously.
    "I'd like us to be honest with each other," I say
carefully.
    "Me too," he replies quietly. I feel his hand
reach up to grasp mine. "I think this could be something real."
    I feel a surge of warmth in my body even as the color drains
from my face. "Wait, what?" I whisper.
    He searches my eyes, looking taken aback. "Or maybe
not."
    I untwine my legs from his and lean back against the log.
"Is that... is that just something you say to women? Like 'I'll call you
tomorrow'?"
    "No, it's not," he says flatly, staring down at
his hands. Suddenly, he turns to me. "You really don't feel a connection
here?" He reaches forward and places his hand across my heart.
    I bite my lip and pull back. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't
have even come today." I stand up and look around, feeling frantic.
    Boone jumps up. "What are you talking about? What's going
on?"
    "It's nothing. It's just... too complicated, alright?
You're Upland's client now—"
    "That's it? Just because of Upland? I can find another
firm to work with."
    "No! No, please don't. I just can't explain right now,
OK? I just need to go home." I fight back tears. I feel wretched. I knew
coming here that Boone and I could never have a real relationship, and then I
pressed him to make me feel special, and now I've led him on. I just never
expected that he would actually fall for me.
    He stares at me for a moment. He looks as though he's going
to ask me another question, but instead he pulls out his cell phone. "Can
you pull the car around?" he says into it. "Thanks."
    We stand in a horrible silence for what feels like forever.
Finally, I hear the sound of an engine and headlights flickering through the
trees. A black Mercedes, looking completely at odds with its surroundings,
pulls up on the dirt road to the campsite. Raoul rolls down the driver's side
window, and I follow Boone as he walks toward him.
    "You take her back to her car, alright? I'll take care
of the horses," he says, then opens the rear door for me. I want to say
something, but his expression is so closed off. I silently get in the back
seat.

 
    Chapter Seven
    Boone
     
    I head to the Hail Mary, the bar I go to on the outskirts of
Savannah when I just want to be able to relax. I've fought my entire life for
status and stability, but I never knew how exhausting it would be to maintain.
I don't want to see and be seen right now. I just want to sit in a dark corner
and drink.
    Sydney's bartending when I head inside. Hank's playing on
the speakers, and there's only a few other customers around. She gives me a nod
when I walk in. She's busy with a regular, so I head to the back corner booth.
We've had flings now and then, but we both know where we stand. Not that I'm in
the mood tonight anyway.
    "Bad deal?" she asks when she comes over and sets
a beer