it's the groom, Phil Kaplan!

"Uh ... hello?" said a deep voice.

Abbie and Jake turned around to see who it was. Standing there in the doorway was a handsome man around thirty with a long, full beard and a bald head. He wore a brown blazer over a yellow shirt with a red tie. He looked at Abbie and Jake with curiosity.

"Sorry, but do I know either of you? I'm Phil Kaplan and ... well, this is my party."

Phil Kaplan, the groom

Abbie lit up with a smile. "Phil!" She looked back at Jake as if to confirm that she recognized the name. "Of course, and no, we haven't met. I'm Abbie Andrews and this is Jake Lewis. Jake is one of Staci's cousins."

Phil nodded and shook Jake's hand, relieved that there was a connection. "Ah, okay. Well, I'm Phil. I'm the ... well, I'm the groom. I guess you must have known that." He was a little out of sorts, but starting to relax in meeting Jake and Abbie.

"We're just helping out here in the hallway," offered Jake.

"Where did ..." Phil looked around, and back into the ballroom. "Where did Megan go?"

Abbie smiled. "Megan and Phoebe needed to check on something in the kitchen. I offered to help out here."

Phil grinned, and looked back into the main room. "I wasn't expecting ... I mean, I guess I didn't think they'd leave the hallway like this. Are you two doing okay out here?"

"Sure!" said Abbie. "Met a bunch of folks on their way in. And had some champagne -- very delicious!"

"Have you met Staci yet?" asked Phil. "Oh wait, I guess you already know Staci, don't you?"

"I do," said Jake. "Abbie hasn't met her yet."

"I suppose we'll find her in there at some point, won't we?" said Phil, laughing.

"Phil!" called a voice from inside the ballroom.

Phil looked back over his shoulder. "Ah, here she is now."