Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of child abuse.

Throughout Maybe Not, physical intimacy serves as a motif that indicates both Bridgette’s fear of emotional closeness and her slow transformation into someone capable of trust. Unlike traditional romantic relationships that progress from emotional connection to physical intimacy, Bridgette and Warren’s relationship develops in reverse, with their physical closeness preceding emotional vulnerability. This is in large part because Bridgette initially relies on sex as a means of control, keeping Warren at arm’s length while indulging in purely physical interactions: She avoids deep conversations, using physical encounters as a way to keep Warren interested but emotionally distant. 

However, as the story progresses, smaller, seemingly insignificant gestures, like holding hands or kissing on the cheek, become more meaningful than their sexual encounters. When Bridgette begins allowing affection in non-sexual ways, it marks her growth from someone who views intimacy as a weapon to someone who sees it as a form of trust. By the end, physical intimacy is no longer a defense mechanism but a reflection of genuine connection, emphasizing The Role of Trust and Vulnerability in Developing Deep Connection.