Abbie plays hostess and meets new people

Jake looked at the clipboard, and then looked at Abbie. "Well ... I guess we should go man the door?"

Abbie smiled. "Can't be too hard. It's like a PR event. Easy stuff." She sipped her champagne as the two of them walked back toward the main entrance. She turned back over her shoulder for a moment to look at the door through which Megan and Phoebe had left, but they had disappeared from view.

As Abbie approached the entryway, she saw several guests arriving from outside.

"Look, Jake, we get to meet some new people!" she said cheerfully. Jake, like an obedient puppy, stood by Abbie's side.

A group of four men and one woman arrived together. Abbie waved at them, and they paused in front of her.

"Good morning! I'm Abbie, and I'm helping out by greeting people and ushering them into the party. Can you tell me who you all are?"

The man at the front of the group was tall with an Italian look about him. He had dark hair, olive skin, wore sunglasses (which he took off to greet Abbie), and what looked like a rather expensive suit.

"I'm Danny. Danny DeMarco. I'm the best man." He leaned over the clipboard to make sure Abbie found him on the list. "Right there. DeMarco."

Abbie smiled at him. She decided to take him for being helpful and friendly as opposed to obnoxious -- though Jake might have had a different opinion.

"Got it. Nice to meet you, Danny."

"I have a few groomsmen with me here. That's Arthur Beck, Rick Maier, and Aguri Hirayama." He pointed at each. Arthur was tall with curly auburn hair and freckled skin. Rick was average height, dark brown hair graying a bit at the temples, had thick glasses and a trimmed beard. Aguri had shaggy dark hair and black-framed glasses. Aguri lagged behind the others and was in conversation with a woman.

"Okay, I found you all on the list. It's great to meet you. Rick, do you have a guest with you?"

"Ah, no," Rick replied shyly. "My wife didn't join me on this trip."

"No problem," said Abbie. She turned to Jake. "I should make a note of that in case they've planned seating or something, right?"

Jake shrugged.

"And Aguri -- hi there." Aguri caught up to the group and waved. "You have a 'plus one' with you today?"

"Yes," Aguri replied. He gestured to the woman. "This is Kei Okazaki." Kei was taller than Aguri, partly from the heels, but partly because she was just tall. She had her long dark hair pulled back tautly, and looked very glamorous.

Abbie made notes on the clipboard. "Excellent! So glad you could join us today."

"Is Phil here?" asked Danny.

"You know what, Danny, I have no idea!" Abbie replied. "I'm actually not the real host, and I'm just helping out. I've actually never even met Phil!"

Danny chuckled. "Well, you're doing great. Maybe I can get you a drink later?"

"That would be lovely, Danny. Thank you!"

Danny took Abbie's hand in his and gave her a delicate handshake. "Nice to meet you, Abbie. And ...?" he looked at Jake.

"I'm Jake. Not as cute as her, but I'm also helping out. One of Staci's many cousins."

Danny nodded. "Nice to meet you, Jake." Danny smoothly walked past him and into the ballroom, with Arthur and Rick following close behind.

Aguri and Kei lingered a bit, still wrapped up in their discussion from earlier. Abbie and Jake didn't hear most of it, but caught the end.

"I only said that I hoped we would look the part," said Kei. "I'm beautiful. You're ... not."

"Kei," said Aguri, as they slowly moved past Abbie and Jake. "What can I do? I look like I look."

"You could get a haircut?" Kei said, as they disappeared from earshot.