I shook my head and clickedend.
“Assignment?” Hunter asked.
“Nothing.” I stepped to the side and set the iPad on the wall table beside the door. “You ready?”
“So, it’s a no go on coming in then?”
“Maybe…after?”
“When you’re ready.” He stepped back and waved me out. “So, what’s the plan?”
I let out a long breath as the door shut behind me, and I glimpsed the elevators. “The cameras show things are about set up down there in the conference room. Kids should be coming through soon.”
“You good?”
I nodded, working hard to keep from hyperventilating. I’d been working so hard with Jenna and on my own to look at various Halloween masks, costumes and even some movie clips to help fight off the anxiety I knew would come with tonight’s adventure.
I wasn’t stupid enough to think I could get through this evening without any anxiety. But I was ready. I was strong. I could do this.
“You don’t look like you’re doing good.” He grinned as we slowly made our way down the hallway. “I mean your face. The rest of you, your costume, it’s fantastic. You look…hot.”
I smiled, understanding my face was probably reflecting some of the anxiety I felt fluttering around my stomach.
“Whew. I wasn’t sure you’d be okay with me saying that. I mean, about you looking so hot.”
“Why not?” I had to tease him a little. He was stumbling around with his words, and it was cute.
“Well…just wasn’t sure. But you do. Seriously.”
“So do you. Your costume is perfect with that black eye.”
“I’ll tell everyone Lara Croft kicked my ass.”
“Like they’d believe that. You’re huge. And…you look like a boxer. Have you ever?”
He shook his head and faced the elevator door. His jaw ticked, and his hand fisted at his side. “Ready?”
“You okay?”
“Yeah. So, what’s the plan once we’re down there? I mean, if it gets bad for you, what’s our signal for me to get you out of there?”
“How’d you know about that?”
He glanced at me. “Makes sense to have an out, right?”
His eyes darkened, the spark dimming, nearly fading out. Once again, he was keeping something from me, and it had to be something big for his mood to shift so suddenly. I shouldn’t be upset he was holding stuff from me, considering I was doing the same thing, but I was.
Maybe I should tell him a little something…to pave the way for him to open up more. My gut cramped at the thought. He’d think horribly of me. Think me…dirty. Used.
“It’s okay, Lina. I just know a little bit about the idea of jumping into something that potentially might have some triggers.”
“Oh, criminal psychology…I get it.” I pressed the down button. “What should our sign be?”
“Tug on your left ear?”
“What if I have an itch?”
He laughed. “Okay, something more dramatic. Wave your keys?”