2 Months Later A surprise party. Brayden may or may not have been dropping as many hints as he could get away with to Lillian’s friends and family, and James to plan her a surprise party at the apartment. His diligence paid off. Not only was he now in contact with her brothers, and her friends, he was making her parents fall in love with him. He’d been serious when he’d said he would prove it to her every day.

The first step in his plan was the casual touching. He brushed his fingers on her exposed skin as much as he could.

“Oh, gotta step around you there”,

“Oh jee I didn’t see you there Ann my bad.”

Every stupid one liner he could use to brush a hand across her back or slip a single finger between the hem of her top and the waistline of her jeans. He even had ones for pulling imaginary fluff out of her hair or eyelashes off her cheeks.

The second step was him complimenting and flirting with her incessantly. Brayden knew he was driving her crazy. Every time she rolled her eyes or huffed a breath out at him, he just smiled and winked. Sometimes, on the rare occasion he found her alone, he'd drop a kiss on the top of her head with a cheeky grin and dash out of her reach when she turned to smack his arms or chest. He’d also got skilled at dodging the small random items she’d toss at him when he said something particularly filthy.

Thirdly he asked her about school every time he laid eyes on her, about her life and family. He learned everything he could about her other relationships, who she cared for the most and worried about. He learned about her to no end.

Lastly, and most importantly – he met her parents and brothers. He’d dropped by to her home, gravely unannounced, met her mother and father, on some back hand excuse about dropping something she’d left behind off, or sheer boredom, they were friends, he told her parents, of course they hung out. The way her mother and father eyed him though, he knew they knew about how much he cared about her, so he never touched or implied or flirted in front of them. It was always the easiest part, being openly doting and gentle to her, and the hardest part, watching her see him be so vulnerable. Her parents really did think he cared for her, and they appreciated his gentlemanliness towards her about it, from what they saw anyway.

Brayden had a feeling her mother loved everyone she deemed a child, and her father couldn’t help but respect his persistence, even if they loved James too.

Her brothers were harder to win over. They knew what he was up to right away, and they were friends with James, had known him for 6 years. They were skeptical of his intentions always, but he persisted. He asked the middle brother Liam to go out drinking or he hung out and talked about music when he dropped in. Alex was harder, the youngest. Him and Lillian were close, and he knew it was the most important to get Alex on his side, so he debated, and chatted and joked and in the end, really did enjoy Alex’s friendship, or what he hoped was becoming friendship.

Lillian was at a loss, half the time when he showed up unannounced, she’d throw her hands up in the air and let him do his work, other times she watched him silently win over her whole family. He’d grin and dote on her, browse her personal library and ask her about the worn and well-read books.  He knew he was winning.

His little apartment was filled with her friends and family. Chatting and mingling for her 25 th birthday. They’d move to her favourite bar soon, but the small present opening and cake was here first, his brilliant idea, that he insisted was all James. Lillian skipped up to the little section of the kitchen they’d labeled as ‘Bar’ and smiled up at him.

“Thank you.” She whispered and winked.

“It was all James’ idea, don’t thank me.” He implored.

“No, it wasn’t.” She looked at him knowingly.

Brayden looked away and scratched the back of his head.

“I just wanted you to have a good birthday.” He muttered gently.

“I know, thank you.” She smiled up again.

“I got you something.” Brayden blurted out.

“I know? The corny “I’m sexy and I know It” shot glass, was very nice, thank you.”

“No, I mean I got you something real.” He blushed.

“Really? What is it?” She asked bemused.

“Just, don’t move.” He hushed and practically flew into his own bedroom.

He grabbed the small stack of books off his dresser and took a deep breath. 3 first edition copies of some of the books she’d mentioned. He’d tied them together with some simple string, and gently tucked dried lavender stems in the bow, a small note on a brown piece of cardstock tucked along with it. It was pretty girly in his opinion, but he knew she would like it that way. Another deep breath and he ventured back into the kitchen. Lillian was exactly where he’d left her, waiting patiently with a new drink in her hand. He leaned against the wall next to her and offered her the small stack. Her eyes flew to his in shock.

“You got these for me?” She squealed.

“Yeah, well you mentioned wanting to collect older editions of a couple books, so I tracked some down for you.” Brayden blushed and held the books out to her.

“Brayden, these are first editions they must have cost a fortune!” She placed her drink down and gingerly took the stack from him. “They’re beautiful.” Lillian whispered.

“Don’t worry about it, I know some people and I mostly found them at estate sales.” He whispered leaning over her.

“These are – they’re so beautiful Ben,” the pet’s name she’d come up with recently slipping out. “Thank you, so much I – don’t know how to repay you.” She spoke softly.

“It’s your 25 th birthday Ann, they’re a gift. One you deserve. Happy Birthday.”

His one hand gently pushed a lock of hair from her face and behind her ear. He smiled widely with a tilt to his head.

“I love you, remember.” With a flirty wink. “I just wanted to remind you.”

Lillian blushed darkly and looked up from the books at him.

“You’re really dedicated, huh?”

“For you? Anything.” He took a small step back.

She quickly wrapped her arms around his middle tightly and squeezed. His hands rested on her shoulders, and before he could embrace her back she was stepping away, books in hand. She gently gave them to her mother who promised to get them home safely, since they weren’t coming to the bar. Her mother’s eyes flashed towards him. She looked at him sadly and whispered a few more parting words to her daughter with a smile. Brayden opened the door for her parents as they left.

“Do you really think this is a good idea Brayden? They’ve been together a long time.” Her mother whispered at him.

“I have to. Mrs. T, she – she’s everything.” He whispered back unapologetically.

Her mother’s eyes glistened, and her father gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder. They exchanged their goodbyes quietly and he closed the door behind them. A roar came from one of Lillian’s friends.

“Time to drink as much as you can without throwing up before the Ubers gets here, you have T-minus 15 minutes. Chug people chug!” He clamored.

People laughed and drinks began to disappear. Brayden swallowed down his own plus 3 more shots to the birthday girl before the cars arrived. It took him a while to register most of Lillians friends were guys at first. He knew he was going to win this battle too though; James was – well James, and Brayden was funnier, and more charming, at least he thought so. Her friends gravitated towards her. Clearly, she was loved by these people, and he hoped that they saw how much he cared for her too and respected it.

As they all filed out of the apartment, Brayden bringing up the rear, tidying as he went, one of Lillian’s only girlfriends approached him. Jasmine was married, and had been for a while, her husband was also amongst the crowd. She was a tall girl, hardheaded and proud too. Brayden graced her with his most award-winning drunkard smile and braced for impact.

“I saw your secret second gift there. Very nice, she’ll treasure them forever.” Jasmine rolled slowly, her eyes cutting into him.

“Well, you don’t turn 25 every day, do ya?” Brayden tried to play it off.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, ‘Ben’, I know what you’re up to. I don’t trust you. Not yet anyway, but I see the way she glows when you’re around. James never made her look like that, not that I ever saw. I always thought she looked kind of embarrassed bringing him around.” Jasmine continued. “Just know, I’m on her side, and if you do something to ruin what she’s made for herself, without her permission, I’ll ruin you too.” Her eyes slicing daggers into him.

Jasmine’s husband Naz appeared out of nowhere beside her. A loving and disapproving look at her before he turned to Brayden.

“I think you’re a better fit for her myself.” His grin flashing. “Now let’s get you to a dance floor hmm?” He posed to his wife with a flirty smile and steered Jasmine away with a wink over his shoulder for Brayden.

Brayden followed them out locking up the apartment as the last of the group made their way downstairs to the waiting cabs. His grin was almost hurting his face. Jasmine – the true friend to win over, considered him close enough to threaten, even implied a small inclination his way, and so did her husband. By the time New Years came he was sure he was going to be that much closer to changing Lillian’s mind.