Bart seemed to recognize that Cat meant him, and he chirped inquiringly at her, then bumped her hand again. He brushed his tail in her face and meowed once more, still staring fixedly at her.
"He's a real chatty fucker," Nick explained, leaving out the part that it was probably his own fault for talking to the cat constantly when they were alone. Better than muttering to himself all the time, anyway. The exchange amused him enough to make him feel less bristly, and he relaxed a little in his seat. "He likes being scratched under his chin and around his ears." Nick went to get them both new drinks, leaving Jessica and the cat to get better acquainted for a few moments.