Page 117 of Men or Paws

They would make a cute couple, no doubt about that.

Douglas smiled. “And if I win, which I will, Gwen will take me out on a date.”

I threw my palms in the air. “What kind of bets are those? You both get the exact same thing whether you win or lose. You could’ve at least made it a little more interesting.”

“Oh, believe me, I did,” Gwen said. “If I win, which I will, Douglas takes me out, but he can’t mentionpoopthe entire date.”

I nodded, thinking about it. “Okay, and what happens if he mentionspoop, which, let’s be honest, he probably will?”

Gwen smiled. “He has to eat one of Beth’s dog cookies for each infraction.”

Everyone was momentarily dumbstruck, and then the room erupted with laughter.

I snorted. “Been there, done that!”

“I love it!” Beth laughed. “Go, Gwen!”

I chuckled, shaking my head in disgust. “Trust me, Douglas, you do not want to lose. Those things are disgusting, I’m telling you from experience.”

Douglas waved me off. “I’m not worried at all, my friend.”

“You really think you’re going to beat Gwen?”

“Does a pelican’s poophole pucker when it plunges into the Pacific?”

I really didn’t know how to answer that.

“She’s going to throw a gutter ball right now, just you wait and see,” Douglas said.

Gwen smirked. “You will eat those words, then you’ll eat dog treats.”

Everyone laughed except for Douglas, who was starting to look a little nervous.

I wanted to hand him a napkin to wipe his damp upper lip.

Gwen hoisted the pink bowling ball and raised it under her chin with both hands, focused on the ten pins in front of her. A few seconds later, she blew out a breath, took four steps forward toward the foul line, and released the ball.

“Come on, Gwen!” Beth cheered, as the bowling ball roared down the lane.

When the ball made contact with the pins, they clattered against one another, all ten falling down. Gwen got a strike.

I couldn’t help laughing.

Everyone cheered.

The ladies moved closer to congratulate Gwen. jumping up and down, cheering, hugging her.

The guys walked over to console Douglas.

Marcello patted him on the back. “Sorry, buddy. I was rooting for you.”

I squeezed his shoulder. “I don’t envy you one bit, but hey, can you videotape your date? It really needs to be documented for everyone to enjoy.” I laughed.

“Not funny,” Douglas said. Being the consummate gentleman and gracious loser, he walked over to congratulate Gwen.

Beth and Holly walked toward me, both smiling.

“Love is a mysterious thing,” Holly said.