Andy met Mary again two days later. He had no filming scheduled for several more days, and Mary said she only had a small freelance illustration project to work on, and was free most of the time. This gave them plenty of opportunity to see each other.

They arranged to meet at Dublin Zoo. Andy immediately noted that Mary was more receptive and spirited– walking shoulder to shoulder, sitting close to him, making stronger eye contact. He wondered if, now that she knew that he was conscious of body language, she was purposely being more open and showing her intentions.

"So Andy is short for Andrew?" she asked while they strolled with ice creams in hand.

"Yep," Andy told her. "I don't think it could be short for any other name."

"I always thought it would be funny to name a girl Lizard," Mary said, smiling playfully. "So that when people ask her, 'Liz, is that short for Elizabeth?' she'll have to say, 'No, it's short for Lizard.'"

Andy laughed. "Lizard is a great name."

"That'll be the name of my first daughter," Mary said. She glanced at him and then quickly looked away, licking her ice cream.

She said her first daughter, Andy thought, suddenly a little shaken. Not ours. But, something about the way she said it, the way she looked at him, made him wonder if she had just speculated about the two of them having kids.

Earlier, while they had watch two gorillas holding each other, she had brought up the idea of fate bringing her and Andy together. Andy wasn't comfortable with the thought, but he couldn't help but wonder if Mary was a bit too full-on. He wasn't used to someone liking him so much. Maybe this is just how it was when two people really liked each other?

Despite his apprehensions, Andy was electrified, overwhelmingly compelled by her. There was just something about her. A familiarity. Like he had known her his whole life.

Over the next week they saw each other several more times. Lunch by the river Liffey, breakfast in Smithfield Square, drinks at The Globe on William's Street. They took a trip to Trinity College, where they saw the Book of Kells, a famous old book and popular tourist spot.

While they sat outside a coffee shop, Andy went on about his favourite TV shows.

"You have to see Silicon Valley. It's what the Big Bang Theory wishes it was."

Mary nodded. "I'll have to check it out."

"I have so much to show you," Andy said, smiling.

The more they spoke, the more he realised that Mary wasn't a big film and TV fan. He was shocked to hear that she hadn't seen many classic films. But that's okay, he thought. Just means that we get to spend more time together, showing her all the old classics she's missed. The first on their watch-list, he told her, was one of his favourite films, The Princess Bride.

Mary fell busy with freelance work for the next few days, and Andy managed to line up a few days of Extra's work on a low budget film shooting in town. But they messaged each other constantly.

The group chat that Andy had with Tom, Emma, and Connor was also busy. There was always something being said–a link to a funny video, a random gif, or just general talk. But the biggest topic in the chat lately was Andy and Mary. Emma still referred to her as Monica, and the group had adopted it as a nickname for Mary. They insisted that Mary come out one night with them all, but Andy was hesitant, feeling it was too early to unleash his crazy friend group dynamic on Mary.

How about watching a film around yours tonight? Mary texted one day. You can finally show me that old film you keep going on about.

That was enough for Andy to go out and buy condoms.

The night of their movie date, Andy played the upcoming evening over and over in his head. They would watch The Princess Bride on his laptop, lying on his bed, keeping things super casual. There would be a bottle of wine on his bedside table; Merlot, which Mary liked. He would focus on watching the film, and if Mary wanted to do more, then it would be her move to make. Andy would just make it obvious that he was open to do more than just watch a film.

Andy's housemate, Connor, had agreed to stay over at his girlfriend's house that night, leaving Mary and Andy alone.

A red evening sky showed out of the windows on the slanted roof of Andy's loft room, bathing the room in a dim light, lit mostly by the laptop screen. Andy had a simple room: wooden floors, white walls that tilted up to the peak of the house. His double bed was in one corner, a large wardrobe against the opposite wall, and a tall chest of drawers at the end of the bed. He had never been one to collect things and decorate a room with his personality.

The evening went mostly according to plan, with Andy laying on his bed with Mary, the laptop over his legs.

She smelled amazing–like creamy vanilla and honey. Her perfumed hair lay by Andy's face as she nestled into him, an arm draped over his stomach.

"Jeez, that guy's big," she said, pressing herself further against him.

"That's Andre the Giant," Andy told her. "An old professional wrestler. He had gigantism, where he never stopped growing."

"Wow," Mary said quietly.

They watched the film for some time. Perhaps Andy was reading too much into things, but he noticed that Mary didn't laugh that much at the great moments, or seem that interested in the characters. She did perk up at the idea of true love, however. "That's like us," she said about the two main lovers in the film.

Andy wasn't sure what to make of that, and was glad that his expression was hidden from her angle. Wow, she is really full-on, he thought. Perhaps Mary's reaction so far to the film had put him in a sour mood, but something gave him concern right then. Something he couldn't quite place.

But she was so attractive. Way out of his league. Her tight leggings showed the smooth curves of her legs, pressed against his.

Andy played his fingers through her hair, absent-mindedly at first, and then with more purpose, moving his hand to rub her shoulder.

Mary looked up, locking eyes with him. Andy's heart raced as she leaned up, slowly closing her eyes.

They kissed, pressing their faces together, breathing heavily.

Mary leaned back. Andy wished he could read the thoughts behind her big dark eyes.

He swallowed. This is happening. She wants to...

"Hi," Mary said playfully. Her eyes narrowed seductively.

Andy's head grew fuzzy as he leaned closer. The laptop fell onto the bed as he embraced Mary, kissing her.

The grating, squeaking voice of one of the film characters was somewhat off-putting at first, but the rest of the world soon faded away as Andy focused more on Mary.

They helped take each other's clothes off, kissing as much as they could. Andy kicked his laptop shut without looking, cutting off the film. They pushed back the sheets to get under the covers. Andy breathed in her intoxicating scent. Her skin was so soft and warm.

He was thankful for the fresh pack of condoms in his bedside drawer.

***

Sometime later, Mary lay in Andy's arms, resting her head on his bare chest.

Andy was numbed with satisfied contentment, a light sheen of sweat over him. It had been so long since he was last with a girl. Longer than he cared to admit. He had forgotten how good it was to just lay with a girl and feel completely at ease-and was glad to discover that he still knew what to do with a girl in bed. At least, Mary didn't seem to disagree with anything.

He didn't even care that the film had been forgotten about.

"What time is it?" Mary asked in a sleepy voice.

"Late," Andy said, kissing her head.

"Sounds late," Mary said, nuzzling her naked body nuzzled against him.

"Very. Far too late for you to go home. Might as well just stay over."

Mary purred in a heavy, sleep tone. "Might as well."

She adjusted her position slightly and became still, breathing softly.

Fuck, this feels so nice, Andy thought as he closed his eyes. He lay there for some time–wanting to soak up as much of the pleasant moment as he could–before sleep eventually took him.

At some point, Andy became vaguely aware of being awake. He lay on his stomach, his head buried in his pillow. Remembering Mary, he shifted his arm to the other side of the bed.

His hand moved over empty sheets.

He lifted his head and opened his eyes, adjusting to the gloomy darkness of the room. Mary was gone.

Did she leave? Andy groggily thought. Maybe in the toilet?

A streetlight partly lit the room in a dull yellow light, coming in from the far roof window. Andy turned to look over the room.

Someone was standing over his bed.

Andy startled back, pushing himself against the headboard, his heart racing. It was Mary. She stood there, completely still, her hair hanging down and obscuring her face. Her naked form was mostly hidden in shadow.

Andy watched her, trying to steady his heart. What is she doing? he thought. Is she.... Is she asleep? Darkness lay where her face should have been, beneath her hanging hair.

He tried to say her name but his voice caught. He swallowed and cleared his throat. "Mary."

She remained still, lurking in the darkness.

What the fuck is she doing?

Andy slowly reached out to her. His hand trembled as it moved closer to her. His fingers brushed back her hair and curled over her cold shoulder.

Mary burst to life, screaming frantically and convulsing. Her arms flailed and her hair whipped around wildly as she shook.

"Whoa, whoa," Andy cried out, rising and grabbing her by the shoulders. "Mary, it's me."

She wailed and fought against him. He managed to press her against him in a firm hug, attempting to hold her down. Her arms dropped limply as she became quiet, filling the room with an unnerving silence. Andy's heart pounded, his bare chest pressed against Mary.

She slowly lifted her head, moaning softly.

Andy cupped her cheek and helped her face him. She looked as if she were slowly awaking.

"Mary?" he asked.

Mary looked around the room, and then at Andy.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said in a hoarse voice, sounding out of breath. "I was asleep. I... I sleep walk sometimes. I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"No, no, no," Andy said soothingly. His hand trembled over her cheek, his whole body still reeling from the fright.

"I should have told you," she said. "It doesn't always happen. Just sometimes. I don't know..."

"It's okay."

Despite his shaken nerves, Andy couldn't help but react to their naked bodies being pressed together in the darkness. She looked up at him and smiled as she felt him stiffen slightly.

"Cuddles?" she asked, nodding towards the bed.

Andy smiled. "Of course."

They crawled back under the covers and held each other. Mary seemed drained, her eyes mostly closed. Andy watched her slowly fall back to sleep. But he lay awake for some time, remembering the sight of her standing over the bed. He knew it was just a harmless sleepwalking incident, but still... something about the way she stood there in the darkness. Troubled thoughts muddled his head as he too eventually fell asleep.

[CONTINUED IN PART FOUR]

What did you think of the 'scary moment' of Mary standing over Andy's bed? Did it work for you?

Any thoughts about where this story will go?

Anything else major stand out for you, good or bad?