I can't believe we have to wait to be seated.
I'm not in the waiting tax bracket.
Hey! No skipping!
No, no, no. She's not skipping.
See that cute little gold card?
She's an Elite Rewards member.
At old Las Colinas, it was, "The guest gets what the guest wants."
But now, the guest gets what the guest qualifies for.
Someone's grumpy.
Well, how else am I supposed to feel?
Hugo bailed on me to go zip-lining.
Julia isn't coming and disappointment and bad tequila don't mix.
I have an idea. Why don't you tell me one of your stories from the past?
Ha! I knew you liked my stories.
Better than hearing you complain about the present.
Still taking that as a compliment.
So, it was almost 40 years ago,
and I was working harder than ever.
Máximo?
Isn't this your day off?
It was. But I thought it might be fun to spend it at work.
Oh. Okay. See you at dinner.
Actually, I thought it might also be fun to eat there. Bye!
We have different ideas of fun.
While I was spending more time at Las Colinas,
Esteban was working with Sara on debate...
"Sara wins tournament"
...and my mom had started to find her groove now that she had a new passion.
My love!
I'm going to the store. Do you want anything?
- No? That's fine. - Wearing a coat?
I get cold flashes!
Those exist?
But she was still too self-conscious
to tell anyone about her new love of spandex.
Maybe I was working too much, but I was suddenly feeling threatened
by a new colleague who seemed to be a real--
Maneater
Memo's sister, Dulce, was making everyone else look bad.
And it was starting to feel like she knew what she was doing.
More than ever, I had no time for anything but work.
Máximo, do you have a second?
Absolutely.
Are you okay with me possibly hiring Chad to work at the dress shop?
I don't see why not.
It looks like Augusto and Adriana are just about to "promote him".
No, no. I meant because of the whole, "he's my ex-fiancé" thing.
I-I guess I didn't think of that.
- Wait. Should I be thinking of that? - What? No.
That's-- That's why I'm bringing it up. Because you have nothing to worry about.
Okay, then I'm not gonna worry about it, which I wasn't in the first place.
- All is good. - I appreciate that.
Some guys would be freaked out by the two of us spending all day together.
Well, not me.
I trusted Julia,
but something about it made me feel a little bit-- Holy crap!
It's Héctor.
Man, he looks good.
- Here, shield me. Shield me. Shield me. - Máximo?
I'm so happy to see you.
- You are? - Yes.
So, you're not angry about how things ended?
It was the '80s.
They were full of mistakes.
I let all that go to make more mistakes in the '90s.
How many guests are in your party?
Three, three.
- Well, that's if you'd like to join us. - Of course.
Okay. Thank you.
Whoops. That's for Elite members only.
- Come with me. - Unbelievable--
The guest should get what the guest wants.
These are your options.
These poached eggs are delectable.
Wow.
I can't believe it, Héctor.
I mean, you look exactly the same.
What's your secret?
Is it infrared masks?
No, no. That is a worthless hoax.
I just have very, very, very, very, very, very good genes.
Man.
So, what have you guys been up to since you got here?
Well, he was just telling me a story about the end of summer in--
- Was it 1985? - Yeah.
It was actually the very same day you fell in the pool.
- Remember, Héctor? - Yes. Yes, I remember.
It was the only time I saw you without your iconic curls.
It was hilarious.
I was explaining to Joe how Julia and I were having a discussion
about, you know, Chad working at...
Turn down the volume!
I'm trying to write!
"The Pink Castle"
Brother, can't you hear me?
I've told you a million times to keep the TV down.
What's up?
Am I disturbing your little "writing routine."
It's not like you ever let anyone read it.
If you see that the juice bottle is empty
don't put it back in the fridge. Please.
That wasn't me!
Okay.
I don't want to fight this morning.
It's a very important day for me.
And for me too!
They're hiring guides at the Tourism Board
and guess who got an interview?!
I'm even going to wear a dress shirt!
By the way, can I borrow a dress shirt?
I'd let you borrow my whole wardrobe
if it gets you a job.
I have one in every color!
It just depends how much chest hair you want to show.
None.
And you'll have to watch Andrés--
WHAT?! No.
No, I can't just bring a kid to work!
You'll figure it out.
I know you're intimately close with the owner. Right?
Not anymore. No.
I'm sorry...
Good morning!
There he is!
Guess what, Andrés!
You're spending the day with your uncle!
At Las Colinas?
Really?!
Yup.
Today you're coming with me.
Look! I even made you a snack for the road.
But listen...
If we're late, we'll miss the bus.
Pick him up right after your interview.
By two at the latest.
Please.
Good luck.
Hey, that's mine, jerk!
Andrés let's go!
Goodbye dad!
Bye, son! I love you.
We're gonna have to run! We're late.
Is that what you want to be when you grow up?
A firefighter?
I wish! But I don't think I can.
And why not?
I'm never going to be brave enough. And...
I still sleep with my lamp on!
Listen to me.
Let this be the last time I hear you say you can't do something.
There's plenty of people who'll tell you your dreams are impossible.
So you can't be your first "no."
Otherwise...
a day will come
when you do want to chase your dreams
but you'll be thirty
and it might be too late to catch them.
Do you understand?
Yes, uncle Héctor.
Good.
What is that you're always writing?
It's a novel. My novel.
I've been working on it for years and...
it's finally finished.
I'm going to share it with a hotel guest.
That's cool! Who is it?!
A very influential book publisher.
You want to be a firefighter, right?
Well, this is kind of like that.
And there's this lady who decides who gets to become a firefighter.
So, I just need five minutes with her to have her read my writing
and convince her I am good enough to become...
a firefighter.
Understand?
Maybe I'll be a doctor.
Being a firefighter sounds complicated.
Look!
This is the Kids Klub.
Wow! Right?
You're going to stay here for a little while
playing and having fun with the other kids.
And then
in a few hours
your dad will come and pick you up.
Okay?
By the way
this place is only for guests,
so we have to play pretend.
Today, your name is Dylan
And you're from Indianapolis.
Dylan from Indianapolis.
Perfect.
Adios.
Hey, Memo.
Sorry to disturb your sunbathing? Napping?
Anyway, I am ready to take over my VIP cabana now.
- Remind me. Which cabana? - Cristela Ramírez.
She comes to Acapulco once a year and spends her last day at the pool
to enjoy the sun and, of course, my impeccable service.
Ramírez. The book publisher.
Is that what she does? Weird.
Yeah, well, here's the thing.
Since you were late, I had to give the cabana to Dulce.
What? But I'm the best man for the job.
I know Cristela's favorite lounge chair, how she only drinks French martinis,
and that she likes a fresh-out-of-the-dryer towel
to support her neck while she reads.
Okay, that's, like, a creepy amount of knowledge--
So give it to me then.
A car is taking her to the airport at 3:30.
After that, you have your way with me.
I'll even clean the hair out of the pool filters...
for a week.
Fine,
a month.
I mean, I am head pool boy after all.
I can probably get Dulce to say yes.
Absolutely not! Cristela is mine.
But she's a regular of Héctor's, and he knows just what she likes,
and it's taken him years to learn--
She likes French martinis, the brown lounge chair with the rattan back
and a warm towel for her neck.
Okay. Well, Héctor, there will be other VIP guests.
Why is this one so important?
You wanna know why?
Because she...
This one is a big tipper,
and I'm talking very, very, very, very, very, very big.
Well, it's not about the money for me.
Cristela is an inspiration.
She built her own business without letting men dictate her path.
That mentorship, to a girl from the streets of Acapulco,
it's priceless.
Wow. I don't know about you, but I am so moved.
Look at her now.
All I see is a girl trying to break the glass ceiling.
I can't believe this.
- It's blatant nepotism. - Hey.
I don't know what that is, but I assure you that it is not.
I'm sorry, Héctor, but clearly this means more to Dulce.
I'm letting her keep the cabana.
You're the best brother ever.
A boss! You mean boss.
I would never...
What's that word where you do special favors for family members?
Ms. Ramírez!
There you are.
Dulce just took one of my VIPs and Memo won't do anything about it.
How can someone just swoop in on my turf like that?
I'm starting to ask myself the same thing.
Máximo.
Máximo!
Have you noticed anything off about Dulce?
Yes. I thought I was the only one who saw it.
It's like she's that cartoon frog
that dances with a top hat when you aren't looking.
But when you look at it, boom!
It's just a frog.
We didn't have that in Spain. But you will kick her off of my cabana?
What? No, I--
I can't go over Memo's head at the pool.
But Dulce's an opportunist.
The pool is only the beginning.
At this rate, she'll come for your job next.
Look, I can't make her give you the cabana, but--
Okay, here she comes. Let's go.
No way. I'm already taking care of two guests--
Héctor, I'm your boss.
This is an incredibly important guest and there's no one else available.
Dial it down, dial it down.
I need you to take this to the ambassador suite, or else.
But it's on the other side of the hotel.
Well, this very important guest pays triple whatever you can get here.
- How enticing is that? - Triple?
I can take that off your hands.
Well, Dulce, you don't have to.
This is Héctor's responsibility.
You're already taking care of a treasured VIP and I would never want to--
It's fine. Héctor can have her.
Are you sure?
I know you wanted to be inspired by Cristela.
I was already inspired by her wallet.
Wow. Well, thank you so much, Dulce.
- Yes. Thank you. - You really are a team player.
Always happy to help.
- Go team! - Yeah. Go team!
She's going to be very mad when she realizes there's no ambassador suite.
I hope whatever cash Cristela has left is worth it.
Trust me. It's worth it.
Will the parents of Dylan from Indianapolis
please report to the Kids Klub immediately.
Kids Klub has been closed over an hour.
You have five minutes before we send him to lost and found.
- Hey, Ximena. - Hey, Héctor.
I can take the lamb to his parents. I saw them in the lobby.
Sure. He's over there. Poor kid.
So neglected.
He can barely pronounce his own hometown.
Hey, Dylan!
Let's go find your folks.
Are we still playing pretend?
Yes. And now, we are gonna play hide and seek
and we're gonna find your dad.
Héctor, I demand an explanation.
I'm so sorry, Diane. I know the staff is not--
Who is this adorable little guy?
I'm Dylan from Indianapolis.
And how old are you?
I'm Dylan from Indianapolis.
He was the last child left at Kids Klub after it closed.
I just thought I would reunite him with his parents.
How lovely. I think I like this side of you, Héctor. It's very sweet.
Well, I should start getting ready.
Alejandro Vera's coming to pick me up
in his helicopter for a flyover tour of the resort.
For work purposes?
Ostensibly. Although he did mention Prosecco.
Man knows my weakness.
Bye, cutie-pie.
- Bye. - Bye.
You like her!
Keep walking!
I mean, I definitely like to think I inspired some of the designs.
Hey, Héctor. You all right? You look freaked.
I've never seen you break a sweat before.
Of course I sweat, Chad!
Geez. What's wrong?
And who is this?
I'm Dylan from Indianapolis.
- Wow! - He's my nephew.
He was only supposed to be here for a while,
but now his father is late and nowhere to be found.
I didn't know you had family in Indianapolis.
No! His name is Andrés.
I kinda take care of him. Look, it's complicated.
I wish I could explain, but a certain VIP is headed to the airport any minute,
and I need to go back to her cabana,
but I can't because I have a kid attached to my hip.
Well, you could just leave him with me and I'll keep an eye on him.
- Really? You'd do that? - Yeah.
Thank you so much.
I'll be right back. I have a fire to fight.
Sparkling or still?
Sir?
Sparkling or still?
Sorry. Sparkling, please. Yes.
I'll have the same.
This is only for elite members.
Hey, hey, hey! Take it-- Take it easy.
It's okay.
Thanks, Joe.
You just saved that guy's life.
Mm-hmm.
- How thoughtful. - Salud.
Héctor,
you had just given my girlfriend and her ex a literal child to take care of.
- Yes, it was-- - Hold on a second. Whose kid was it?
I have no idea.
But the way I remember it, it sure felt like it was Julia and Chad's.
Aren't they adorable? Who'd have thought Chad would be good with kids?
- Not me. - Right?
After his trip, he just came back a changed man.
He fixed all the things that used to frustrate me about him.
That's so great for Chad.
And for you apparently. It's like he's finally the perfect guy.
- Yay. - Hey.
You said you were fine with Chad working here.
Is everything okay?
It's great! Perfect.
Just like the three of you. What a perfect family. Have a nice day.
You see, this is why Julia left you.
What?
All I said was, "Have a nice day."
Okay. Did you say, "Have a nice day?" or "Have a nice day?"
You just said the same thing twice.
You should've told her how you actually felt.
Wow.
So now you're an expert on the ladies.
Okay, don't do that.
- You don't know me like that. - Okay.
I have a lot of...
Ms. Ramírez--
you don't want to stay a little longer?
There's my usual guy.
You abandoned me today.
And on my last visit to Las Colinas.
Forgive me. It was not by design, believe me.
Wait. Did you say this was your last visit here?
My husband and I just bought
a timeshare in Cancún.
I'll miss this place but I should get going.
Well, before you go, please...
I just want to say I'm a huge fan of all the work you publish.
I've seen you change the lives of
many many
many emerging writers
right from this cabana!
Making their stories travel from their...
tiny apartments to the world and--
Okay, okay, okay!
You buttered me up plenty.
What can I do for you?
I just wanted to ask
If you would-- If you would-- - Leave me alone! I'm looking for my son!
Don't touch me.
What is your problem!
I'm so sorry.
I'll be right back.
Watch it jerk!
Just tell me what room you're in and I'll help you.
I don't need help.
Yes, yes I get it. No judgment.
You give me three beers
and I start doing the Thriller dance--
Memo, I can take it from here.
"Memo, I can take it from here--"
What the hell are you doing?!
- Um... picking up my son? - Well, you're late.
And drunk. Did you even go to your interview?!
Of course!
But there were a bunch of teenagers there
interviewing for the same job!
Do you know how embarrassing that is?!
And It doesn't embarrass you to be unemployed?
I've tried!
But they kept asking all these questions!
Like "why do you have such a big gap in your resume?"
Because I'm raising a child by myself!
"By yourself?!" And I can just screw off, right?
I've been carrying you for years!
Carrying us!
Why do you think I came to México?
To help you.
And everything you do makes my life harder.
Oh, how poetic.
Is this going in one of your little stories?
They're not little stories!
You have no idea what I'm writing.
I don't care.
Let me take Andrés and I'll be gone.
- This place is too pink. - Wait.
I'm not letting you take Andrés like this.
Let him stay with me. He's safer here.
Move.
Just admit it. You're jealous. I caught you.
Caught me doing what? Reading a newspaper in a breezeway?
That's not a crime.
These are crimes.
Héctor?
What happened?
These twins were drowning in the pool.
Of course, I tried to save the hotter one,
but then the other twin started to give her mouth-to-mouth,
which made her the hotter of the twins.
So I ended up saving both.
Now they have a double date with Héctor the Twin Resurrector.
I told you he was funny.
Yes, a real laugh riot.
Julia and I needed that laugh
to snap out of our argument and-- and be honest with each other.
Máximo, what's going on with you?
I thought you trusted me.
Is this the guy you really are?
No.
But when I saw you and Chad bonding,
laughing together, having inside jokes,
it freaked me out.
Amor, but we moved past all of that.
Now I'm with you and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.
So you and Chad are not gonna raise that random kid together?
If I'm gonna raise a random kid with someone, it's gonna be with you.
Hey, guys, just a thought.
Maybe you were feeling jealous
because Julia and I are spending so much time together.
And since you're both super busy with your careers,
maybe you're substituting a sadness
for lack of quality time together with frustration.
Or not. I don't know. I've been wrong before.
I'm gonna go jam on the pan.
Chad has changed.
And you're both right.
We've just gotten so busy being
Acapulco's newest "power couple"
that we haven't had a lot of time for each other.
Damn our success!
Well, your shop's doing great
and I've got my job down pat.
I have a feeling
that things are about to settle down--
Máximo!
Where have you been keeping this one?
Maybe I spoke too soon.
Dulce is the sweetest.
And not just because her name means sweet in Spanish, which I now know.
Dulce.
She showed up at my office with a tray of treats and pitched me--
Well, pitch it yourself.
I thought we should add a new suite called "The Ambassador's Suite"
since everyone knows we don't have one.
Genius, right?
Bye, bye.
Dulce was good.
Anyone could've seen through her plan, but she turned it into a win with Diane.
I don't like to use this word often,
but Memo's sister was turning out to be a real--
So sorry to interrupt, but I just had to come over and say I'm, like, a huge fan.
That's very sweet.
Can we take a photo?
Sure, sure. I get this a lot.
Are we doing a selfie, or you want one just of me?
Sorry. Not you.
But you can take one of me and Mr. Aguirre if you want.
Sir, your books changed my life.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for reading them. Truly.
Thank you.
I have a small but rabid fan base of readers.
People love a steamy fantasy romance.
You should read the fanfic they write.
It's so, so, so graphic even for me.
I had no idea.
Honestly, I would never peg you as a writer.
You were always more of a Latin lover.
I never really saw myself as this suave ladies' man.
I was just an attentive and caring server.
Okay. Maybe a little suave.
But very, very, very, very little, eh?
Maybe your stories don't always paint the entire picture, huh, boss?
I mean, you are clearly an unreliable narrator.
You thought that Chad and Julia were getting back together.
And that Héctor was just a pool boy.
You're right, you're right.
I guess the world doesn't just revolve around me.
Weird.
I'm off to get Hugo. Nice meeting you.
So, Héctor, did you always know you were gonna be a writer?
I definitely had some doubts.
But sometimes, it just takes one person to give you that extra push.
Did the lady decide to make you a "firefighter"?
Unfortunately, no.
That's a shame.
Come on. Let's go.
It's late.
Can you read me a story?
Oh, Andrés,
you want to hear the one about
the teddy bear in the toy store again?
It's very sad.
What if you read one of yours?
Yeah. Okay.
Why not.
It's called "The Pink Castle".
The clouds part
to make way for a towering pink Castle
protected by a powerful cavalry.
Danger lurks outside the Castle walls!
But for one brave Andalusian Knight
whose curly locks were the envy of the kingdom,
the real risk wasn't spears and swords.
it was love.
His secret love.
For the alluring, sensual,
captivating golden blonde Queen named--
Wait, I think I'm missing a page.