Her request brings him to a jolting halt, his observation of her strengthening in focus for a moment...before he nods, "I can work with something else, if it bothers you" 

Saying nothing else on the matter,as a polite way to let her have her secrets, he steps away from the sink again, attempting to smack more dirt out of his clothes, before giving up with a "Bah."

"Well, are you ready?"