“Why does there even need to be a secret?” he asked, turning around and throwing his hands down. She skipped towards him, a grin wide across her face.

“You promised me!” she replied. “Come on. How embarrassing could it be? I already know everything else about you.”

“You sure about that?” he asked, smirking. “What if I’m leading a double-life as a child of the CIA? Or a more private worker, like a Spy Kid?”

“Please. You took one dance class and fell flat on your face.” She took a step away. “I think you said ‘Uggghhh balance is too hard.’”

“Ballet is not my forte.”

“And neither would spying.”

They stood in silence for a moment. He could feel his chest tightening and his stomach sinking. She really wasn’t going to let this go. His thoughts raced as he tried to think of something, something not too outlandish but not too boring for the adrenaline junkie in front of him.

“Sooo,” she continued, “What’s the secret?”

He sighed. “You really want to know?” She nodded excitedly. Taking a deep breath, he opened his mouth and said, “I have a sand collection.”