In the movie Just Friends, the man in question is Chris Brander, a successful and confident music executive living in Los Angeles. When he returns to his hometown in New Jersey for the holidays, he is unexpectedly reunited with his former best friend and high school crush, Jamie Palamino.
As the two reconnect and spend time together, Chris realizes that he still has feelings for Jamie and hopes to finally win her over. However, Jamie is engaged to a successful businessman and seems content in her current life.
Throughout the movie, Chris tries various tactics to win Jamie's heart, including pretending to be her boyfriend, serenading her with a love song, and even buying her a romantic gift. However, his efforts are constantly thwarted by his own insecurities and Jamie's commitment to her fiancé.
At the same time, Chris must confront his own past and the ways in which his fear of rejection turned him into a womanizer. With the help of his quirky best friend and his supportive mother, Chris learns to be true to himself and express his feelings honestly.
In the end, Chris and Jamie come to a mutual understanding that they are better off as friends, and Chris returns to his life in LA with a newfound confidence and appreciation for his roots.