Reviews and Romance
The day was filled with resort amenities, smiles, and laughter. Amber watched Dan at work, and it made her feel a sudden surge of pride. She had always known he was good at what he did—how else would he gain over five million followers?—but she had never had an opportunity to see him in his element. He had more equipment than she had in her old lab, and his energy was infectious. Amber was there for all of it.
From Dan's perspective, Amber was a natural. She explained the pros and cons of everything they saw, her smile inviting the camera in. She posed for thumbnail shots like a seasoned pro. He found himself wondering, more than once, why he hadn't brought her along on his reviews years ago. David had called him earlier to discuss the recorded footage; he couldn't get over how vivacious Amber was. Dan had smiled with pride. His wife was stunning, intelligent, and so very capable.
They were now heading to one of the resort's two sea-cave spas. They had taken pictures and B-roll along the way, but they planned to start a major video as they reached the entrance. Amber was having the time of her life. The resort was beautiful—ostentatious in areas, to be honest—but it was grounded by the unique nature of the Mediterranean. It felt similar to her Blue Serene, but with an exotic flare. She was proud that she had created something just as sophisticated and sustainable back home.
As they reached the entrance, Dan pulled out a gimbal. Amber frowned inwardly, making a mental note to research his equipment later. He had put in the work to understand her world of biochemistry; it was time she understood his. Outwardly, she smiled and tilted her head back, exposing her long neck for the lens.
"So, this is the Sea-Cave Spa. Did you use this one on your last trip here?"
Dan panned the camera to show the dramatic rock entrance. "No, I didn't. Fun fact: this resort is actually built on an inactive volcano. Sometimes, even in inactive ones, new lava tubes can be found. They discovered this one during the last expansion."
They entered the spa, and the camera caught Amber running her hand over the limestone walls. "This is even better than our Liquid Stone because it isn't a composite—it's raw nature," she whispered, mesmerized. "It's like they shaped the space by listening to the rock. Look here! The wall is in its natural state, yet it isn't brittle. Disturbed limestone usually dries out, but this is perfect."
She walked toward a water feature where a natural spring trickled down the rock face. "They allowed the water to have its own space. It's stunning."
After a short tour, they reached the hydro-pool and the ice fountain. The cave was massive, lit with recessed LEDs that provided a soft glow without adding heat or humidity. As they walked, Amber noticed the floor had a strange, soft bounce.
"These floors are a fascinating touch," Amber said, looking playfully into the camera. "They have a unique 'rebound' I've never felt before, and believe me, I tested thousands of floors for Blue Serene. I'm probably a flooring expert now." she paused, tilting her head. "Or maybe a flooring consumer expert?"
Dan laughed. "My biochemist wife, pretending she can't find the right word."
Amber stuck her tongue out at him. "Sociological terminology is not my forte."
"And she's back!"
They both laughed and finished the tour. Then it was time for their massages and then a sauna treatment. When they were done they went back to their room to rest.
Later that night, Amber sat in the living area of their suite with a small frown. Dan walked in, drying his hair. "What's wrong, love?"
"I'm looking at the itinerary and we don't have anything for tonight. Are we taking a break?"
Dan leaned down and kissed her forehead. He smiled when he saw her close her eyes, a soft expression crossing her face. "I have something planned, but it's a surprise."
Once the sun had fully set, they drove down a dark, winding road around the back of the resort. Dan started a Live, mounting his phone to the dashboard.
"We are almost there, everyone," Dan told the viewers.
"And I am still starving," Amber chimed in. "Exactly, SmarterThanYouThought—he'd better have food for me somewhere. All of you in the comments seem to know where we're going. How about a hint?" She leaned toward the lens. "Please? DM me at AmberIsSerene and I'll give you a free spa day for a hint."
"Hey! Are you bribing my followers?" Dan teased.
"Yes. Yes, I am."
The comments exploded with laughter. When they reached a small, secluded cove, a man was waiting by a rack of clear-bottomed kayaks. Amber's eyes widened as she looked at the dark water. "Is there something bioluminescent here?"
Dan feigned shock. "Who blabbed?"
The chat rolled by: TimeAndMoney: 'Your girl is smart, dude.' and TrustMeIfYouWant: 'You don't need to bribe us, gurl!'
They pushed off into the bay, turning off their headlamps once they were away from the shore. Dan ended the Live with a quick sign-off. "Time for some alone time with my wife. Remember, the excursion details are in the description. Never stop experiencing life!"
The night became silent, save for the rhythmic dip-slap of their oars. Suddenly, the water exploded in tiny, neon-blue sparks. With every stroke, the sea beneath their clear kayaks turned into a shimmering cloud of light.
Amber gasped, her hand trailing in the water, leaving a glowing wake. "It's beautiful, Dan. It's like you're giving me a galaxy."
"You are my galaxy, Amber," he said, his voice thick with emotion. He stopped paddling, letting the kayaks drift together. "I was an idiot before. I took you for granted. I don't know if you can ever totally forgive me, but I want to live in your heart again... if you'll have me."
Amber couldn't find her voice. Tears tracked down her cheeks, glowing faintly in the reflected blue light. She simply nodded. Dan let out a loud, celebratory yell that nearly flipped his kayak, making Amber yelp with a startled laugh.
They moored at a small, private beach where Dan had arranged a picnic by a small fire. Under the stars, surrounded by the "cold light" of the dinoflagellates, Amber leaned in and kissed him slowly.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too, Amber."
"I think you actually do," she said, feeding him a honeyed olive. As Dan kissed her fingers, he made himself a silent promise: he would never be the man who didn't see her again.