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..