After the conference, the four - all of whom had significant others - began grabbing the occasional coffee together.
In spring 2007, James finished his degree and was promoted to major. He was assigned to serve a year in Iraq.
Angela, Carly, and Dan sent their friend care packages filled with snacks, books, and iTunes gift cards. Angela baked peanut butter cookies and coffee cakes, and wrote letters to her onetime verbal sparring partner. After a few months, James had regular Internet access, allowing him to e-mail with Angela about deep, philosophical topics that somehow felt easier to discuss with someone on the other side of the Earth.
James came home on leave for Thanksgiving. He joined Carly and Dan - who were by then dating - and Angela and Angela's then-boyfriend for dinner and drinks. Detecting something different between Angela and James, Carly announced a trip to the ladies' room.
"What's going on between you and James?" Carly wanted to know.
"What are you talking about?" Angela responded. "We're just friends. We e-mail each other. He's interesting."
Carly laughed. "You used to say he was that argumentative, pompous Army guy, and now he's interesting?"
James, now 36, broke up with his girlfriend over Thanksgiving and returned to Iraq. He e-mailed Dan and Carly asking if they thought he had a chance with Angela. "Be patient," Carly advised.
In April 2008, Angela, now 35, went to her then-boyfriend's house after work. He popped in a war movie. Ten minutes later, Angela had to leave. "I think we're done," she told him. Her boyfriend couldn't believe it. It was a shock to her, too. But the movie made her face her concerns about James' safety. It made her realize she'd rather be home e-mailing with him than spending time with her suddenly-ex boyfriend.
