Acapulco

Máximo.

Máximo, are you okay?

Máximo!

Ah, sorry, I'm just surprised you're here so early.

Well, I like keeping you on your toes.

And, uh, you're here with a plus one.

- Uh-huh. - How do you two know each other exactly?

And how intimately?

- Oh. Octavio's just a friend. - Mmm.

He offered to promote the hotel on his socials

and he has ten million followers.

- Mmm. - Mmm.

- That's so generous of him. -

Yeah. We collaborated on a fashion show in Brazil.

- Mmm. - What, a few years ago?

The real collaboration came after the show.

Word of advice:

stop drinking when the tables start to look a lot like the dance floor.

Hi, I'm Octavio. Octavio Cruz.

Yes, I know.

We all know.

Máximo. Máximo Gallardo.

Named top ten most eligible billionaires

on the 'Robb Report.'

I'll have to Google what that is.

God! I'm starving.

Why don't we have lunch?

Want to join?

Eh... Sure! Why not?

I'll bring a plus one, too.

Since we're doing that...

- Mmm. -

We're going to get along well.

- - Octavio. Octavio.

Thanks for coming, Gustavo.

I just need a little backup because there's no way this guy

only wants to be "friends" with Julia.

- I mean, it's Julia. - Sí, sí.

You have nothing to worry about, relax.

No one is a match for...

Octavio Cruz!

The one and only.

- Máximo. - Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

I watched your telenovelas with my grandma all the time!

Can you do your trademark move?

When you angrily lift your fist up to God?

"Why?!"

"Why?!"

"Why?"

"Why?"

Máximo, your turn.

I don't know what you're all talking about.

C'mon, Máximo, it's iconic!

Sorry, telenovelas aren't really my thing.

No offense.

None taken.

Me, I prefer watching

independent films

and TED Talks.

I also love TikToks.

No TED... conferences.

Well Maximillio, then my next project's probably not for you.

I may be playing a superhero in a movie very soon.

I won the role over Hollywood's A-listers.

Okay, well...

Speaking of main characters,

I have a story of REAL heroism,

where I just so happen to be the main character...

It was 1986,

and my mentor and I hadn't spoken since our blowup at my sister's dinner.

Which is why it was so strange that he wanted to meet.

But honestly, the agua de jamaica alone was worth the trip.

- - Máximo.

I wasn't sure if you'd want to come,

after the way we left things.

But I wanted to check in with you

on how Esteban is doing.

Oh... Well, that is very kind, sir.

He's doing much better.

I'm happy to hear that--

Don Pablo,

I'm sorry.

I never should've tried to guilt you into stepping down.

For what it's worth,

what I said about the support you've given me was all true.

I appreciate that, Máximo.

That's the other reason I wanted to see you.

To clear the air.

I know we're competitors now,

but I wanted to make sure

there's no bad blood between us.

At the end of the day,

we're peers.

Peers?!

Right!

I'm a peer.

It's weird just saying it!

We're peers.

Well, consider the air cleared!

Only good blood here!

Don Pablo!

Hi, Maxi.

Is this awkward? Feels awkward.

Anyway, uh, thank you so much for the gig.

Your guests are good tippers.

Okay, bye.

You stole Adriana and Augusto?!

Is that why you really asked me here?

So you can shove it in my face?

Not at all...

And for what it's worth,

their contracts aren't exclusive to Las Colinas.

In business, everything is fair game.

I work for El Alma now.

And I have to do what's best for my hotel.

And I have to do the same.

As our hotel rivalry was heating up,

so was Chad and Gloria's secret relationship. One lunch break at a time...

Careful. You might be eating through that wrapper.

- Mmm. It'll break down in ten years. -

I'm in a rush because I have that big pickup at the airport today.

Oh, that's right.

Hey, what do you think about going on an actual date some time?

Some place we don't have to hide.

Because, honestly, this place is giving me the creeps.

I really don't like the way he's looking at me.

Oh, Juan?

We used to date.

And he's nuts about me.

Well, that makes two of us.

Look, how about we go down to Barra Vieja this weekend?

There's a spot that I love that makes the best pozole out of pork feet.

I will eat any foot to get outta here.

- Wish me luck. - Mmm.

Today has to go perfectly.

- Good luck! -

It's Máximo. What is your Head of Operations doing here?

Máximo... Just Máximo?

Oh, shit.

All right, I'm just gonna wear this Spider-Man mask.

- - Oh, that's actually...

It's a... Doesn't matter.

- Come on. -

My love, you can't let a few rejections from book editors bring you down.

Besides, I have some good news.

- Someone is publishing your book. -

I can't believe it!

Is it Doubleday? Penguin? Simon and Schuster?

I will settle for just Schuster.

It's Diane Davies Printing and Publishing Incorporated, LLC.

You're the publisher?

Well, I was hoping for an excited shriek.

Or at least a dramatic Spanish gasp. What's wrong?

Nothing. No, nothing. No, I, uh... I guess...

I know you're just trying to be supportive, mi amor ,

but this is not how I imagined my first book would be released.

It feels like a handout.

I published your book because I love your book.

And I couldn't bear those stuck-up suits dictating who gets to read it.

It's too much.

Oh, I've had all this work energy and nowhere to put it.

This is the first smart, productive thing I've done in a while.

I'd be a fool not to publish your book.

I appreciate that, corazón de melón .

Maybe you're right.

Who cares about those stupid publishers?

- My writing is for the people. - Exactly!

- Yes. - And who knows?

Maybe it'll become a cult classic like my movie, Monica's Left Hand !

- Yes! Oh! -

It was like your hand was a completely different character.

Although... ...I do have some notes on the book cover.

I just think you should've used the real us for it.

Our kisses have way more electricity.

- Mmm. - Hmm?

Thank you so much!

Talk soon!

What are we celebrating?

Remember my best friend Azul?

She was just chosen to be Miss Colombia for the Miss Universe pageant

and she wants me to design her evening gown.

- It's gonna be hosted... - Oh, my...

...in Acapulco this year.

- I am so excited I could cry. -

Oh.

And I guess you can too.

Oh.

Are these the pregnancy hormones or are you really this emotional?

It's both.

Honestly, I'm surprised Azul became a beauty queen

because we were some ugly ducklings when we were younger.

Oh, I'm sure it wasn't that bad.

All pretty girls say that.

Really?

This is us when we were in fifth grade.

Jesus!

Where does your monobrow end and hers begin?

Being ranked number 2 in Leisure Magazine

had clearly started to affect our bookings.

And with Don Pablo pulling out all the stops,