Xavier rose from his chair and extended his hand across the table.
"Welcome to Wigan," he said. "Properly this time."
He held Leo's hand for a moment.
"And now the real work starts. More than ever."
Leo nodded before letting go.
After that, Xavier turned to Noah and exhaled through his mouth in the way a person does when he's decided to find something funny rather than let it bother him.
"You've taken years off my life," he said, only for Noah to shake his head.
"You'll be fine."
Xavier straightened his jacket and looked between the two of them.
"We've got cameras waiting outside to mark the occasion properly."
He gestured toward the door. "Shall we?"
"Lead the way," Noah said.
Leo fell into step beside him as they followed Xavier out and leaned slightly toward Noah.
"I'm glad I dressed properly," he said quietly. "I didn't know if we were getting this done today or not."
Noah glanced at him.
