In Her Shadow

Distance

Bridget slouched against the bar, fingers wrapped around the smooth glass of her drink as she allowed the low hum of jazz music to blur her surroundings. It had been a grueling day, a string of unending meetings and last-minute issues that kept her tethered to the office well past sunset. Now, finally, away from it all, she let the exhaustion settle over her like a heavy blanket. But even here, in this dimly lit bar, her thoughts drifted back to Navy.She had tried to focus on work, tried to keep herself occupied, but every idle moment brought her back to that night, to Navy's hurt expression and the broken words that lingered between them. No amount of business could chase away the feeling that she was losing her, that every ounce of distance only made the gap between them more unbridgeable.

Bridget took a sip, her gaze drifting over the crowded room when a familiar figure caught her eye. Navy. Her heart lurched, and for a split second, she considered calling out to her. But then she noticed the woman Navy was talking to—someone older, with a poised elegance that felt slightly intimidating, her laughter soft and unforced as she leaned in close to Navy.Bridget's pulse quickened as she watched the exchange, the warmth of the woman's hand resting lightly on Navy's arm, the way Navy seemed to lean just a little closer. It was the casual ease of it that sent a jolt of unease through her. Bridget hadn't seen that kind of comfort in Navy in weeks, and here she was, open, relaxed, even... smiling.

She felt an uncomfortable knot twist in her stomach, an unfamiliar jealousy sparking up. She hated it, the irrational sting that crept up as she watched them. It wasn't that Navy couldn't talk to other people, couldn't smile or laugh with someone else—she had every right to live her life without Bridget looming over her shoulder. But a part of Bridget couldn't help but wonder who this woman was, why Navy seemed so willing to let her guard down for a stranger when with Bridget, it had always been an uphill climb.A laugh from their corner of the bar reached her, and Bridget couldn't help but study the older woman—she was beautiful, with an easy grace and a quiet confidence that drew people in. She seemed like the type who would sweep someone up with little effort, a woman who understood herself, who could offer stability, comfort, all the things Bridget feared she had failed to provide.Against her better judgment, Bridget took a few steps closer, positioning herself just within earshot. She felt a pang of guilt for eavesdropping, but she couldn't help herself. She needed to know—needed to understand what Navy saw in this woman.Their voices were soft, and intimate, as they exchanged stories and laughter. The woman's voice was warm, a gentle tone that carried sincerity in every word.

"It's nice to see someone so young with such resilience," the woman said, her voice carrying a note of admiration. "I've met so many people, but you—there's something different about you. You have an energy, a spark."

Navy's eyes softened, and she looked down, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "I don't know about that," she replied, a touch of humility in her voice. "I'm just... trying to get through it all."

The woman tilted her head, watching Navy closely. "And you will. You're strong, Navy. I can tell you've been through a lot, but it hasn't taken away your strength."Bridget's heart tightened. She had said similar things to Navy herself, but in this stranger's mouth, the words seemed to carry a weight that she hadn't quite managed to convey. She wondered if maybe, in her own way, she had failed to truly see Navy as she deserved to be seen.Feeling her chest constrict, Bridget turned away from the sight, retreating back to her stool. She downed the rest of her drink in a single gulp, the burn of it barely registering as she tried to drown the jealousy that roared within her. She wanted to be that person for Navy, wanted to be the one to show her how incredible she was, to remind her every day of her worth. But all Bridget had managed to do lately was push her away.As the minutes passed, she resisted the urge to look back, to see if Navy was still laughing, still looking so completely at ease with someone else. She knew she was overthinking it, that it wasn't fair to feel threatened. Yet, she couldn't help but feel that the gap between them had grown just a bit wider.She tapped her fingers against the bar, each thud like a beat of frustration. Maybe Navy was better off without her. Maybe she deserved someone like the woman who could make her smile, who didn't bring the same baggage or the constant, turbulent emotions that seemed to swirl around Bridget. But the thought made her feel hollow, a deep ache settling in her chest.As she asked the bartender for a refill, a familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts."Bridget?"

She looked up, her heart stopping as Navy stood before her, an unreadable expression on her face. Navy glanced back at the woman she'd been with, who was now watching them from across the room with a curious gaze, then turned back to Bridget.

"I... didn't expect to see you here," Navy said, her tone carefully neutral.

"Yeah," Bridget replied, forcing a small, strained smile. "Just needed to unwind after a long day."There was a tense silence between them, and Bridget searched Navy's face for any hint of what she might be feeling. She felt exposed, raw, as if all her jealousy and insecurity were laid bare for Navy to see.

"Who was that?" Bridget finally asked, unable to stop herself.Navy's brows knitted together slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Just someone I met tonight. We were talking... that's all.""Seemed like more than that," Bridget said before she could stop herself, her voice coming out harsher than she'd intended.Navy's eyes flashed with a mix of hurt and frustration. "So what if it was? You're the one who—" She stopped herself, clenching her jaw, as if fighting to keep her emotions in check. "I don't need to explain myself to you, Bridget."The words stung, and Bridget looked away, shame creeping over her. "You're right," she said quietly. "You don't owe me anything."Navy hesitated, her gaze softening as she took a deep breath. "Why are you doing this, Bridget? One moment you want me close, and the next you push me away. I don't know where I stand with you, and I can't keep waiting for you to decide."The vulnerability in Navy's voice cut through Bridget, a painful reminder of the damage she had caused. She had been so caught up in her own insecurities, her own fears, that she hadn't realized how much it was affecting Navy.

"I'm sorry, Navy," Bridget murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't have a good excuse. I just... I don't want to lose you."Navy's expression softened, and for a brief moment, Bridget saw the warmth return to her eyes. "I don't want to be lost, Bridget. I want... I want to matter to you. But you have to let me in, and you have to stop pushing me away when things get difficult."Bridget nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I'm trying. I know I'm not... I know I have a lot to work on, but I don't want to keep pushing you away."

Navy's gaze lingered on her, a mix of hesitation and hope flickering across her face. "Then show me," she said softly. "Show me that this matters to you as much as it matters to me."With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Bridget standing there with a mix of regret and determination. As she watched Navy leave, Bridget felt a renewed resolve settle within her. She would prove to Navy that she was worth trusting, that this relationship was worth fighting for, no matter how many obstacles lay in their way.