By the Numbers (Love Logic, #3)

by K.M. Neuhold

He already has an Uber waiting for us when we get downstairs. We both get in, Theo scooting all the way over next to me. If I thought the man liked to touch and cuddle when we w...

Boyfriend Theo is. Not that I’m compla...

It’s not exactly dancing music, more of a grunge rock vibe, but we give it our best shot anyway, swaying together

and laughing. Alex insists on twirling me, accidentally spinning me right into the guy standing next to us, trying to enjoy the music with his girlfriend. We laugh some more at that, and then I try to dip him, and we both go down in the soft grass. He looks up at me, his eyes filled with so much affection that it makes it hard to breathe, makes it difficult to believe I got this lucky when I wasn’t even looking. Thank fuck Alex is as confident and as willing to go for things as he is, otherwise, I might’ve missed

out on the best thing that ever ha...

I kiss the tip of his nose and then get back to my feet, pulling him up along with me. The next band that takes the stage does more of a slow jam, which we also dance to, this time swaying slowly and smili...

The place is quiet, just one man, who’s built like a brick house—all broad shoulders and a strong jaw—behind the counter. His arms are covered in tattoos, and he’s wearing an apron that’s smeared with chocolate on the front. The only other person in the place is a slightly older man seated near the big window, reading and sipping from a teacup. Who comes to a bakery to sit and drink tea? “Jordy,” Alex says with surprise, going over to the man at the table.

“Alex, hi. How’s it going?” he asks with a smile, half closing his book. “Good, just on a date.” Alex points at me, and Jordy offers me his hand. “Hi, I volunteer with Alex at the Math Center.” “He’s also a botany professor at the University,” Alex adds for him. “It was good to run into you. We’re just getting some dessert. We haven’t been here before; what’s your favorite?” “Oh…um…” Jordy blushes, which is odd, darting

a glance to the baker and then back to Alex. Alex looks over his shoulder, a knowing grin forming on his lips. “Ah, okay, well I’m not sure that’s on the menu, but thanks anyway.” He winks, and Jordy blushes again. We turn to walk away, and he leans in close to whisper into my ear. “Ne...

I chuckle. We both order a slice of cake at the counter from the baker who turns out to be extremely polite while also c...

Alex might be right. Hopefully the two of the...

“Hey, um…” Alex clears his throat and gathers another scoop of frosting to lick off his finger. “I love you.” The words catch me off guard, half mumbled while he’s looking down at the cake. “Are you talking to me or the cake?” I tease. He rolls his eyes and looks up at me with a nervous half-smile. “You.” “Oh good, because I was about to ask if the two of you needed a minute alone.” I take the container out of his hand and set it aside, scooting close

and cupping his jaw in my hand. “I love you, Lex.” His smile turns from nervous to relieved before settling on giddy. I lean in and kiss him, tasting sugar and joy on his mouth. Best date ever.

The sex, the “dirty” books my parents wouldn’t approve of, those were the only things I had any say in, the only things I had control over.

Could it really be as easy as Theo’s saying? Can I say, “fuck it” and drop out of my

classes, abandon my PhD and get my teaching certificate instead? My parent’s heads would explode. But, fuck, what if I could wear goofy ties and instill a love of math in kids and come home every day to a ma...

Theo “Surprise!” We all shout as Pax steps into his apartment and flicks on the light. His eyes go wide, and he drops his luggage on the floor, a slow smile spreading over his lips as he looks for

his boyfriend. Elijah hurries forward and jumps into my brother’s arms.

“Is it hard for you to see them together?” he asks, his voice a little tight, clearly trying hard not to sound jealous or hurt. I bring our joined hands to my lips and kiss his knuckles. “It’s really not,” I answer honestly. “Early on, maybe a little, but the more I’ve thought about it, the more I think it was mostly that I was worried Elijah would get hurt or that somehow their relationship would come between our friendship. He’s my best friend and I love him, but I’m not in love with him.”

“Oh yeah, are you in love with someone else?” he teases. “I am. He’s sexy and fun and knows just how to drive me wild,” I flirt back, whispering the words near his ear and then tugging the lobe between my teeth. “It’s the dragon dildo, isn’t it?” he deadpans, and I bark out a laugh. “You caught me. We’re running away together next week.” “I fucking knew it.”

We break out the pizza Elijah ordered for the occasion and all sit around on the floor with flimsy paper plates, talking and laughing together. Elijah sits in Pax’s lap, kissing him every so often and looking so in love I swear I can feel it from across the room. Leo and Hudson playfully bicker over the last slice of supreme pizza while Riot

swipes it right out from under their noses and then gives them each a kiss when they complain, and Bishop watches the whole thing affectionately.

Theo gestures me close, putting the blanket he brought out around both our shoulders. “We’re going to watch the sunrise.” When he says it, I realize there is a faint hint of light just along the skyline. “Why?” “Because it’s romantic.” “Sleeping is also romantic,” I argue even as I smile, but gah, how cute is this that he woke me up to watch the sunrise together?

Theo grins and presses a kiss to the side of my head. We sit in silence for a few minutes, listening to the sounds of the city and each other’s slow breathing, watching as the sky slowly gets lighter, streaks of pink and orange starting to paint the clouds over the skyline, turning the view into a work of art. “Okay, this is nice,” I concede. “Told you.” I lean my head against Theo’s shoulder, a feeling of peace and happiness settling over me so fully that it takes my breath away.

“You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about all the happiness stuff you’ve insisted on,” I tell him. “Oh? Any new ideas?” “Yeah, I’ve been thinking maybe a house some day with a cat or something.” “I like cats and houses,” he agrees, and my stomach flutters. “Maybe a regular Saturday morning breakfast we invite all of our friend...

dancing in the kitchen, and sex in every room,” Theo adds. I turn my head and kiss his shoulder. “Count me in.” “You know I fucking love you, right?” Theo asks, and I nod. “I love you too, and I’m exci...

The ring he put on my finger a few days later felt even more forever, and I absolutely fucking love it. I trace the cool metal of the ring with my thumb as I stop at the front door and type in the key code. Having a keypad put in was his way of making sure I wouldn’t have to worry about forgetting my keys again. I had joked that he’d have to find something new to tease me about, but he was

pretty confident he could figure something out.

I loosen my tie as I walk down the hallway, drawn not only by the scent but by the sound of Theo’s off-key singing, a smile tugging at my lips as I get closer. I stop in the doorway to the kitchen and lean against the doorframe, watching my husband sing and dance in front of the stove with a full

heart and a smile so big it hurts my cheeks. His song ends, and I clap and whistle, earning me a glare from over his shoulder that dissolves into a smile after a few seconds.

Our cat, Gato, jumps up on the counter and mrrrows for a pet. I reach over and scratch under his chin.

He gives the same answer he’s given me every day since he took a position at a LGBTQ youth center as a counselor, and I know without a doubt he means every cheesy word of it.

I spent so much of my life thinking the only way I could fulfill my potential was to become an important scientist working for the government and solving world hunger or helping us colonize the moon or something, but Theo was right. I can do so much good in the

world just by doing what I love the most.