A Brush of Blue

Chapter 13: Moments Interupted

Naomi paced her small office at the marine research center, her thoughts tangled in knots as the hum of the ocean echoed faintly through the open window. It had been days since she last saw Selah in person, and the distance was driving her a little crazy. Work had ramped up unexpectedly—a sudden influx of data to analyze, back-to-back meetings, and a few unforeseen issues with the center's equipment. There was little time to breathe, let alone see Selah.

And Naomi missed her.

Not just the text messages they exchanged throughout the day or the occasional late-night phone calls that had become the highlight of her evenings—though those were always comforting. No, she missed seeing Selah, being near her, feeling the calmness she exuded. There was something grounding about Selah's presence, her quiet, thoughtful way of observing the world. Naomi missed the soft smiles, the way Selah's eyes crinkled when she laughed, and the lightness that seemed to follow when they were together.

Naomi sighed, running a hand through her braids as she glanced at her phone. Another message from Selah blinked on the screen, this one about her morning coffee—something light and teasing, the way their conversations often were. Naomi smiled despite herself. Even through the screen, Selah had a way of making Naomi feel connected, like every little moment mattered.

But it wasn't enough anymore.

This constant back-and-forth through text wasn't the same as being with her. Naomi craved Selah's presence—the warmth of her laughter, the feel of her hand brushing Naomi's as they walked side by side. She groaned softly, frustrated by how much she missed her. It felt almost ridiculous to be this affected, but the feeling was undeniable.

"Noelle's going to roast me for this," Naomi muttered under her breath, imagining her sister's teasing if she found out how much Naomi was pining.

A knock at her office door pulled Naomi from her thoughts, and one of her colleagues poked their head in, reminding her about the meeting that was starting in a few minutes. Naomi grabbed her notebook and forced herself to focus, though her mind kept drifting back to Selah, to the way things had shifted between them. The kiss they had shared was a turning point, but now, Naomi wasn't sure where they stood. She wanted to reach out, to see Selah, but something in her hesitated, unsure if she was pushing too fast or not fast enough.

***

Across town, Selah was feeling the same restless energy. She sat curled up on the couch in her cottage, her phone resting in her lap as she read Naomi's latest message for what felt like the tenth time. A smile tugged at her lips, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. It had been days since they'd seen each other, and while their frequent texts and calls helped bridge the gap, they couldn't replace the feeling of being with Naomi in person.

Selah hadn't expected to feel like this again—this strange, exciting pull toward someone. It was a mix of anticipation, nervousness, and longing that left her feeling both exhilarated and unsettled. Naomi had a way of brightening her world, making everything feel lighter, easier. And as much as she loved their conversations, it wasn't the same as being wrapped up in Naomi's presence, her laugh filling the air, her energy contagious.

Selah sighed, running a hand through her hair. She had been trying to keep busy, to focus on her art, but the studio felt lonely without the echo of Naomi's voice. As much as she had grown comfortable with her solitude over the past year, she was beginning to realize how much she craved companionship again.

She missed Naomi.

The admission came quietly, almost unbidden, but it was true. She missed Naomi's playful banter, the way she seemed to understand Selah's silences, and the way her presence made everything feel just a little more bearable.