“It’s a challenge,” Jeremy said. “But let’s be hopeful about the station’s future. I won’t leave you alone with this, Brooke. You can count on me.”

Her shoulders relaxed. Her gaze caught and held his. “You don’t know what this means to me.”

“I think I do.” He leaned forward, cupped her face with both his hands and kissed the top of her forehead, just like he kissed his kids at the bus stop. Only this was different. This gesture made his heart stop. When he drew back, he kept his hands on each side of her face. He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. Her skin was moist from the tears, but soft and silky.

And then she leaned just slightly toward him, but it was enough for him to know that she was feeling something, too. He hoped it wasn’t just gratitude. He hoped she felt just a bit of what his senses were telling him now.