“A proper hostess serving coffee to our corporate partners should look the part.”

I took the plain linen apron without a word, wrapped the narrow strings around my waist, and tied a small knot at the side.

Alejandro sat at the head of the table, turning pages in a leather binder without looking up as I lifted the heavy silver coffee pot.

Oscar Garza sat two chairs down, tapping his brass fountain pen against his palm in a slow, steady click.

“My son married her out of pure sympathy,” Doña Victoria announced to the associate on her right as she poured herself a glass of sparkling water.