The moment shattered as Stacey's voice cut through the air.
"What the fuck?"
Before anyone could react, Stacey lunged forward and grabbed a fistful of Betty's hair, yanking her to her feet.
"Ow!" Betty stumbled, off balance.
"Stacey, stop it!" Marcus stepped forward.
Stacey's eyes landed on Betty's phone, still recording on the bed. The camera light blinked red.
"Oh, this is perfect," she hissed, snatching the phone. "XL Betty making her own private porn collection?"
"Give that back!" Betty lunged for it, but Stacey held it out of reach.
Stacey looked between Marcus and Betty, her expression twisting with disgust. "Do you actually care about this land whale? Is that your new fetish now, Marcus?"
Marcus kept his voice steady. "I'm not insane, Stacey. She's not even my type. What are you doing here?"
Stacey's suspicion melted into satisfaction. "I saw your car outside. Thought you came for me." She pouted, stepping closer and brushing against his bare chest. "Guess I was right."
Betty looked sick. Marcus could see her hugging her arms around herself, trying to disappear.
Marcus forced his practiced smirk. "Maybe you were."
Stacey giggled, emboldened. "I knew it. You could never actually be interested in... that." She gestured dismissively at Betty without looking at her.
Marcus let Stacey press closer, her hands running over the marker lines Betty had drawn on his chest. For a moment, they both acted like Betty wasn't there, Stacey laughing too loudly, her touches growing bolder.
"You know," Stacey murmured, standing on her tiptoes, "I've missed you."
She pressed her lips to his neck, then his jaw. Betty stood frozen in place, watching it all unfold.
When Stacey's lips found his, Marcus kissed back with practiced ease. It was exactly what he'd expected, all performance, no substance.
When they broke apart, Marcus leaned close to her ear. "Wanna take this somewhere more private?"
Stacey bit her lip and nodded eagerly. "God, yes."
She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the door. "There's a laundry room down the hall. No one ever goes there."
Marcus let her lead him out, glancing back once at Betty, who still stood there looking shattered.
The laundry room was empty, dimly lit, with washing machines humming steadily.
"Finally," Stacey breathed, turning to him with hungry eyes. "I've been waiting for—"
Marcus stepped backwards through the doorway and slammed the door shut.
Click. Locked.
"What are you doing, Marcus?!" Stacey's scream came through the door, followed by fists pounding. "Marcus! Open this door right now!"
Marcus leaned against the door as the pounding intensified.
"I'm doing a project with Betty," he called back calmly.
"Are you fucking kidding me?! Let me out!"