I feel your [burden]
Fortunately, Sierra is (also) her own kitty - so lap-time does not become an expectation to be fulfilled on every possible occasion - like, say the mouse hitting the coke-laced water button, forever(?)
Luckily for me as, at her 12# this irregular snuggle time works out copacetically, (and I'm now trusted to transport her in semi-comatose state, sans alarum, to some other surface.)
The occasional about-face/Screw-you! for whatever transgression - usually evaporates at meal time, as you noted. I know I'm just staff..
Er...
You can't fire an at will kitty for good cause, no cause, or even bad cause.
(But they can fire you for none of the above)