Page 2 of Phillip

“Billi,” Phillip warned as he inched closer. “Stay.”

The goat eyed him and perched its other hoof onto the first stair. Uproarious laughter broke out again. Two guys from the front row accompanied Phillip as they moved in.

Phillip offered her a conciliatory grin. “Surprise.”

This time he’d gone too far with his tricks and fun. She would kill him—and oh, this was exactly what Mother had said was wrong with him.Dangerously unpredictable and unstable.

“Catch it,” Dean Dunbar ordered.

Phillip and his wingmen approached, their arms spread. The goat bleated and clattered up the stairs. Raucous amusement filled the auditorium. Ashley jerked back as the goat skittered to center stage.

“You’re on your own,” one of the guys told Phillip.

“Sorry,” the other said to her then lifted his shoulders in defeat. Both went back to their seats.

Phillip climbed on stage, cooing to the goat like he might coax it onto the leash and collar that hung from his hand.

The goat turned to Ashley, sniffing, and stepped closer. Its bright eyes wouldn’t blink, and its wriggling nose seemed wet.

“Phillip,” she hissed. “Catch it.”

“Don’t move.” He closed in behind the goat. “Stay perfectly still.”

The goat moved closer. Maybe it liked the flowers on her dress. “It’s going to bite me.”

“He won’t.” He inched closer. “Right, Billi? Billi Vanilli’s a petting zoo goat. He’s friendly. I promise he won’t bite.”

Billi Vanilli?Her hands trembled as the animal with a distinctive barnyard scent nuzzled her skirt. Its warm, snotty breath dampened the fabric against her knee. “It’s touching me.”

Phillip inched closer. “Don’t move.”

“Why do you have a goat?” she whispered, her voice shaking.

Phillip paused like she’d missed the obvious reason. “I promised you I’d come up with a distraction.”

“What?”

“To help you relax during the big speech.”

“Are you insane?” she hissed.

The goat jerked away as Phillip raised the collar near its neck.

“More like creative, but the little dude got loose,” he suggested, reangling. “Don’t move.I’ve almost got him.”

Who on earth gave him a goat?

The goat spun to face Phillip head-on. Its hooves clattered as it backed toward her. Its backside pushed against her legs, barely missing her feet! Ashley jolted.

“Ash, don’t move.” Phillip held the leash out in a loop so he could wrap it around the goat’s neck.

“Baaa.”Billi shuffled in place. Its animal sounds echoed from the stage throughout the auditorium. Ashley made the mistake of turning toward her mother. She’d always hated Phillip, complaining about his lack of maturity. Ashley had never disagreed over that point with Mother. He wasn’t the most responsible person she could have dated, and more than that, she would do anything for her mother to give her an ounce of approval.

Right now, that approval would never come. Mother’s reaction had turned to cold indifference. The chasm between them felt like a public disowning.

Another sound came from the goat along with a sickening smell. “Ew! Oh God.”

Phillip collared the goat. “Got you.”

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