he made a face at her , reading her expression well enough on that count . i laughed as i asked myself how i was succeeding when it felt like i was going backward . and a row of shiny white teeth . he smiled and pulled her to him , wrapping his arms around her , lifting her out through the doorway onto the front stoop . he didnt ignore me as much as avoid me . `` this is good , '' he said , finally finishing . 'just do n't think to make it a habit . ' 