Jobs are like women, if you try too hard - they will loose interest and quickly especially if they already have what they wanted.

Playing hard to get just works - like it or not.

It also seems to me you may have a talent at recognizing talent - you managed to push your friend into that company and you've done that unknowingly - think what you can do if you actually put your mind into find great people and finding a job for them - or even better if they'll work for you even as a freelancer - and you resell their services to various companies as an consultant or contractor.