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checking lines of sight into their camp. They were a little exposed to the south, but there was a ridge rising up that would give the advantage of high ground if someone approached from that direction. He shifted the full water jugs on his back, scouting closer.
    It was a scramble to get to the top of the rocky outcropping one-handed, but he managed it. Peering around for cover, thinking like a hunter, he abandoned his cargo and eased forward on his belly, looking out and into their camp.
    Andrea was sitting on a campstool close to the tent, fiddling with his camera again. Geo was working on the fire. Flashes of steel from his knife blade kept catching the sun, and Danie made a note of it. No point in bringing unwanted attention to any of them. Though by the time night fell, they’d have no choice. Their fire would shine like a beacon, but the four-legged predators were more likely to find them without it.
    He watched as the Italian got up from his seat, sauntering over to Geo. The hand he placed on the small of Geo’s back set his teeth on edge. Drop it. He willed the Italian to move away. Instead, Andrea moved it slowly across his back until draping it over Geo’s shoulder, bringing their heads together.
    He thought he would see Geo’s smile, shy and flirty, if he pulled out his binoculars. Geo wasn’t pulling away; even from this distance he could read the man’s body language, could feel the imprint of Geo’s warmth from all the times he leaned back into him; watching him lean into the photographer brought a stab of pain.
    He really couldn’t blame Geo, not after the other night, especially since he had practically offered up the man to Geo, on a silver platter. But that was before he revealed so much. More than he’d intended, but not everything. Probably not enough. And maybe it was too late; he’d seen the glances between Andrea and Geo. After their argument, how could he expect Geo not to jump at the chance to be with the Italian?
    Danie lay there, letting the late afternoon sun heat the skin of his back through his shirt, just watching the two men. Andrea was almost as pretty as Geo. He had a similar slender build, a head of messy brown hair, and olive skin; as a pair they would be quite stunning. The Italian had a few inches and a handful of years on Geo. He had an established career that took him all over the world. He certainly sounded like he was a better fit, at least on paper.
    Danie didn’t have much to offer Geo except for his companionship and protection in the bush for a few months each year. But at the end of the day, he was just an employee.
    Danie picked up the satellite phone and called Geo, watching him break away from the other man― does he look guilty ?
    “Geo, can you spot me?” Danie was all business again, shoving away his impending heartbreak for another time.
    “Where are you?” He watched as Geo spun in a tight circle, before moving out to get a clear view of the surrounding area. He quickly fixed on the rise, peering at his location under a hand, shielding his eyes from the glare.
    “Can you see me yet?” Danie moved on his belly a little closer to the edge.
    “You’re up on that ridge, yeah?” Geo asked.
    “Can you see me?”
    “No. That’s not good is it?” As Danie watched Geo, he imagined that he could see Geo worry his bottom lip, like he always did when he sorted out a problem.
    “Not if you’re the one looking, Geo.” He disconnected the call and stood, waving and waiting for Geo to wave back before scrambling back down to ground level.
    His walk back to camp was a thoughtful one.
    ****
    They ate beans from cans set into the coals to heat. The labels curled from the fire and blacked with soot, the metal almost too hot to touch. Geo kept up a patter that masked the silence from the rest of them. Andrea kept sending glances over the fire at both of them, which was confusing.
    Earlier, when he’d returned with the water, Danie had found the pair huddled