Charlie's response made Cat smile a bit, hoping it was a portent of better things to come. The thought of Charlie's happiness was a sweet one to Cat, and it heartened her to think that maybe she might open herself up to it with this friend of hers.
With a smile, Cat took a chance to reach out and squeeze Charlie's arm in lieu of her tucked-away hand. "You're hardly interrupting. Had you not been here, I'd have thrown my laundry in and likely sneaked entirely too many cigarettes while I waited for it to finish."
Her smile turned wry.
"So you see? You're helping me adapt to this California lifestyle without even trying."