Just as I said that, the waitress walked over and set down our food.
“Hey, let me ask you something,” Liam said to her.
“Sure.” She smiled brightly at him.
“There’s a look women get when they’re really into a guy, right?”
“I suppose so,” she answered. “I mean, I don’t know for me, but I’ve seen a look on my girlfriends’ faces when they’re really into someone.”
“Describe that look.” Liam smiled.
“Liam!” Oliver voiced.
“Quiet, Oliver.” Liam waved his hand. “Go on.” He smiled at the waitress.
“I don’t know. It’s like a twinkle in their eye or just an overall sweetness that sweeps over their face. It’s hard to describe. Kind of like a glow.”
“Exactly!” Liam pointed his finger at her. “Thank you for your help. I will make sure to compensate you with a generous tip.” He winked.
She gave us each a smile and casually walked away after we ordered another round of drinks.
“See. I saw that glow or twinkle with Jillian.”
Oliver rolled his eyes and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Go ahead and don’t believe, Oliver, but it’s true. And you, my bro friend,” he pointed at me, “need to claim what is yours.”
“And how do I do that? She doesn’t want a relationship. She’s very adamant about that.”
Liam waved his hand in front of his face. “So was Avery and look at us now.”
“Excuse me,” Oliver spoke. “If I remember correctly, she was the one who went after you in California.”
“Details. Details, Oliver. The point is she realized how much she loved me. So, here’s the plan, Drew. Get in touch with her and tell her that you gave it some serious thought and friends is what is best for the both of you. Make the agreement on her terms. Women love a good fight and when they realize we men aren’t fighting for them anymore, that’s when it hits them.”
“Is that so?” Oliver cocked his head.
“Well, not in your case. But you were pretty fucked up.”
Again, I let out a chuckle.
“Listen, Drew,” Oliver spoke. “If you love Jillian that much, then you have to go after her.”
“No. No. No.” Liam shook his head. “This is totally different. Delilah loved you and you pushed her away. Jillian knows she loves Drew but is too afraid to admit it because she’s trying to find herself. She’s scared that if she confesses her feelings, she’ll be deterred from her journey.”
“So you’re a shrink now?” Oliver asked.
“I should be, right?” Liam winked. “Anyway, Drew, back to what I was saying. You need to call her bluff. Be friends and then, when the time is right, make her jealous. Go out with someone and make sure Jillian sees you with her. If anything, seeing the man you care about with someone else always sparks a little bit of jealousy. Maybe then, she’ll realize what she let go.”
“Were you a woman in a past life or something?” Oliver asked him.
“Maybe.” He frowned as he placed his hand on his chin.
It was getting late and I had to drive back to the city.
“Thanks for the food and advice, guys, but I’m going to head back now.”
As I was driving back to the city, I couldn’t stop thinking about Liam’s advice. It actually sounded like a good plan. Being friends with Jillian was better than being nothing with her at all. Tomorrow, I’d text her and put my plan into motion.
****
After I returned from a meeting, I pulled my phone from my pocket and took in a deep breath as I typed Jillian a text message. Fuck it. This needed to be done over the phone, so I called her.
“Hello,” she answered.
“Hi, it’s Drew.”
“Hi, Drew.” Her voice was unsure.
“I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry about the other night. I didn’t mean to walk out like I did and I want you to know that I fully understand.”
“It’s okay. I understand why you left.”
“Listen, Jillian. We’re friends and I don’t want that to end.”
“I don’t either, Drew.”
“Good. I also want you to know that I’ll always be here for you if you need someone to talk to, whether it be about your parents, Kristen, or anything about yourself. I’m just a phone call away.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it. I really do and it means a lot to me to hear you say that.”
“You’re welcome. I have to hang up now. I have a meeting to get to.”
“Okay. We’ll talk soon. Bye, Drew.”
“Bye, Jillian.”
I let out a deep breath as I hit the end button on my phone.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Jillian
I set my phone down and looked at Kristen, who was sitting across from me.
“Well? What did he want?” she asked.
“He said he wants us to be friends.”
“Good man. Is that what you want?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Well, then you can’t sleep with him. Because you can’t have a friends-with-benefits type of relationship.”
“I know. He told me to call him if I ever need anything.”
“Is he coming to the wedding?” She bit down on her bottom lip. “Because I just assumed he was.”
“I don’t know. Did you invite him?”
“I thought you already did.” She frowned.