Then, as though I'd magically made him appear with my words, Dad walked in to the café with Cupid on his leash.And for the second time in two days, Cupid began barking excitedly and pulled so hard on his leash that Dad had to let go. But instead of running for me, as I would have expected, he made a beeline for Ms. Bates.I stood up and rushed to Cupid, but Ms. Bates had already crouched down and was receiving a bunch of very wet pug kisses. Her giggle made her sound happier than I'd ever heard her.Dad apologized and knelt down to pick up Cupid. My little pug squirmed around happily, and planted one giant, definitely germy, absolutely sweet pug kiss on my dad -- right on his mouth. With a glare, Dad handed Cupid back to me, and wiped his face with his jacket sleeve."I'm so sorry," Dad said again to Ms. Bates. "Cupid has never done that! I assure you, that dog was put through lots of training when he was a puppy. But I'm afraid my daughter and Theo encourage that . . . unsanitary habit." He pulled one of his handkerchiefs out of his jacket pocket -- Dad likes old-fashioned things too, which is probably where I get it -- and Ms. Bates accepted it, blotting at her face where Cupid had slobbered."It's no problem," Ms. Bates said to Dad with a big smile.I froze. Something in her voice and expression made me realize: Cupid had just done it again.Except this time, it seemed like Cupid had chosen a match for my dad . Excerpted from The Love Pug: a Wish Novel by J. J. Howard All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.