Immediately after reading the first root beer scene, I went out and bought myself a root beer. That's how good the root beer scene was.I so wanted that Root Beer. I could taste it. That is how good SK is.
On another note, somehow I never ended up finishing this book (even when I'm wrapped up in a book I have so much trouble actually finishing anything, for some reason), but knowing what happens in the end, I feel that Jake simply left it pretty much at that - knowing SK, I presume that Jake did not bring up anything about the timelines or anything of the matter; it could overcomplicate her life at that point.
I'm not sure whether or not they would remain friends; either way I'm sure that Jake would have trouble with the concept of letting her go, but he would probably be able to do so as he is a fairly strong character.