Page 22 of Summer Serenade
She shrugged a shoulder as if that took whatever energy she had left. “Maybe I’ll try again when I’m more ready.”
The devastation in her voice told Nash “maybe” would never come. Knowing what she was doing now at the pub…
The truth cut him to the core.
He let the tears fall from his eyes.
He’d crushed her dreams.
Right there, during that audition, for all to see. Given the ratings then, that had to be over twenty million people. More, based on the view counter on the video.
His chest tightened so much he could barely breathe.
She didn’t have to listen to you. If she’d truly wanted a music career, she wouldn’t have let anyone or anything stop her.
Logically, he knew that was true because he was proof.
But…
She’d been grieving the loss of her father and so young—so very young—she probably couldn’t take anything else. She’d had to be so overwhelmed by everything, especially Nash’s harsh criticism. He understood why she would have given up or put her music career on hold.
The worst part?
She’d sung better than others they’d heard. Similar singers had moved on to the next round earlier in the day. But he’d said those words as much for his sake as hers.
Ivy had deserved better from him. As did all the contestants that day.
What he’d done as a judge was wrong on so many levels.
Nash couldn’t go back and make it better for all of them, but he could do something for Ivy. The one who was in the same town as him, working as a server and only occasionally performing when she could—should—be doing so much more.
She didn’t want to see him, but that no longer mattered.
Nash straightened.
He had to make up for the damage he caused.
And would, no matter what it took.
