I think there's a good chance it could work. The trick is to set the proper expectations. Make sure he understands that you two will probably spend much of the week apart from each other. Make sure he knows that when people are nagging him to hydrate it's because he's a newbie and it has nothing to do with the past

Make sure he understands that there may be a very good chance that he may catch you in someone else's arms at some point during the week. Maybe just being chummy, maybe making out, maybe something else. If he thinks that would make him feel jealous or weird, he should make a backup plan (as in prepare to move himself to another part of the playa. And make sure that both of you remind yourselves that if you get unusually cranky/irritable, it's because you're either not properly hydrated, not eating properly, not getting enough sleep, or all three. If you sense it, do something about it.
The job for you both is to minimize, if not
completely eliminate drama. Not just for your own sake, but for the sake of your campmates, who are probably really great people.
That's not to say you should avoid each other out there, but that you want to make sure he doesn't have the expectation that you'll be hanging out for any period of time.
If you don't want to sound too cold, make a couple safety/daytime plans. Such as swing over to The Deep End for a drink during the day. Grab coffee some morning. You know the drill... friendly activities that are not likely to be taken the wrong way.
Good luck!
~Trilo~