#coffeeandtheton

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Not Dr. Sharma absolutely falling over herself as Anthony Bridgerton pulls his hoodie off to hand it to her in Better on You.

Aubrey University isn't ready.

[coffeeandtheton]

Leaked: The Bridgerton Initiative (Aubrey University Internal Memo)

Before The Trust Framework had a syllabus, a logo, or a chance at surviving twelve weeks without a lawsuit or a restraining order...there was this memo. Dr. Sharma read it. Annotated it. Probably questioned every career decision that had led her here. Anthony Bridgerton, meanwhile, definitely lost his copy.

From my CEO Anthony and Professor Kate AU — “The Trust Framework” (coming soon)

[coffeeandtheton]

Well now we have to know what was interesting in a research visit to Bridgerton Holding.

Also, how did they end up going on that first date? I’m guessing Anthony was pretty straightforward with asking?

Love these two 🩵

First of all, thank you so much for your excitement and support of this chaotic little world I'm building 🩵.

But let's jump in with some Trust Framework tea. 🍵

The “research visit” was supposed to be routine—data collection, a few interviews, maybe a polite coffee. Kate is mostly there to supervise the students in their research group...and let's be honest, Anthony as well. But when Violet Bridgerton hears that the Dr. Sharma Anthony hasn't shut up about for six weeks is involved, “routine” turns into a formal dinner at Bridgerton House before Kate can even blink.

And yes, somehow that might turn into Anthony stranded on a balcony at 6:00 am the next morning…though whether it was confrontation, confession, or catastrophic timing is strictly under NDA. 👀

As for the date question: you’ve got Anthony pegged exactly right. Once he realizes she might actually reciprocate—even if she disguises it in academic critique—he’s relentless.

"Have dinner with me." "Absolutely not." "Why?" "I have a strict no-dinner-with-co-workers rule." "You have dinner with Professor Baek almost every night." "That's different. I like her."

He tries everything: sneaking it into lecture notes she has to sign off on, showing up with breakfast and claiming it doesn’t count because technically it’s not dinner.

“Bullet Point 4, Anthony.” “Bullet Point 4?” “Ensure institutional compliance, data integrity, and adherence to ethical standards.” “You weren’t worried about ethical standards the other night—” “Anthony!” “All I’m saying is, the ethical thing to do would at least be to let me buy you dinner.”

It’s equal parts banter, battle, and foreplay—which, for these two, might as well be the same thing. And when Kate finally gives in, it changes everything 🩵.

You can get caught up on the other two one-shots in this series here: Against the Wall Better on You

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Dr. Sharma and Mr. Bridgerton have finally agreed on a syllabus. (And by agreed, I mean Kate hit print and shoved it in the Dean’s mailbox before Anthony could argue that Monopoly counts as a learning opportunity. Again 🙄.)

✏️ Aubrey University | The Trust Framework a modern-AU rivals-to-lovers course where ethics meet ego, and trust is the hardest assignment.

🪶 part of the Bridgeton Initiative Universe ➤ Against the Wall —the hallway argument that changed everything ➤ Better On You —post-lecture detente (and sartorial chaos) ➤ The Academic Findings of Anthony Bridgerton’s Cardigan —peer-reviewed pining ✨The Trust Framework launches soon—consider this your course preview.

[coffeeandtheton]

Im so intrigued by CEO Anthony and Professor Kate - their banter and chemistry is off the hoooook!!!! What do they teach together? Why are things so contentious between them (other than the UST of course!) when do they realise their feelings for one another? And is it before the “Against the wall” story or after? Would love to read some of your HC about these two clowns 😆🙏

And thank you for your Flufftober series - every single one has been a delight! 🙏

First off, thank you!! 🩷 Writing these two might be my favorite form of chaos right now—they bicker like divorced parents in a faculty meeting but also have the audacity to make it romantic.

So, a few headcanons straight from The Trust Framework universe (I apologize for the word vomit ahead of time):

📚 What they teach: Kate’s a tenured business ethics professor at Aubrey University— razor-sharp, terrifyingly competent, and allergic to nonsense. She's the kind of professor that has students itching to get into her classes.

Dean Danbury smiled—one of those knowing, maddeningly serene smiles that told Kate she’d already anticipated this argument and prepared for it. Of course she had.

“Dr. Sharma, your course evaluations consistently rank among the highest in the department for student trust and engagement. There’s a waitlist every semester for your classes. The purpose of this initiative is to model that trust between institutions. I can’t think of anyone better to represent us.”

Kate exhaled slowly. “That’s very flattering, thank you.” She tried to unclench her jaw. “But I’d like to circle back to that dual-lead question.”

Anthony? He’s a CEO turned “Executive in Residence,” teaching Leadership & Strategy as part of an industry partnership. (Translation: he swans in with his MBA guest lecturer energy, says things like “Let’s disrupt the paradigm,” and Kate’s blood pressure skyrockets.)

🔥 Why things are so contentious:

Anthony loves needling her. He calls her “Dr. Sharma” like it’s both an honorific and a taunt—respect laced with challenge, as though saying her name might tempt her to argue with him (and she usually does). From his point of view, she’s brilliant, composed, and far too unimpressed by him—which, naturally, makes her irresistible.

Kate, meanwhile, thinks Anthony Bridgerton is a walking publicity stunt with a LinkedIn profile that probably has a fragrance line. She’s convinced he was born with a silver spoon and a PR team, and that his “guest lectures” are just thinly veiled ego trips. He disrupts her meticulously planned seminars with analogies involving mergers, cricket, and Beyoncé. She'd also really love to throw the walking pad he keeps under his desk into the quad.

Their teaching styles could not be more opposite—Kate thrives on rigor and Socratic method; Anthony thrives on charisma and chaos.

And, of course, they’re co-teaching because Dean Danbury thought launching The Bridgerton Initiative—and pairing a corporate CEO with a tenured ethics professor—would make “excellent press for the business school.” (The Dean was wrong.)

💥 When feelings start to shift: It’s slow. Painfully, deliciously slow. Somewhere between late-night office hours, shared coffee refills, and a very interesting research visit to Bridgerton Holdings—the ground shifts. Suddenly the sparring feels less like a competition and more like foreplay in disguise. Their students aren’t sure whether to call the Dean or shove them in an empty office and lock the door. The “Against the Wall” scene lands right in the middle of it all—when the tension finally snaps, but before either of them is brave (or foolish) enough to admit what it really means.

🐶 Bonus Newton Fact (You can read the full story here): He’s the unofficial mascot of the business department. Students bring him treats, and he naps under Kate’s desk. Anthony once bribed him with snacks to win his loyalty—it might have worked... 💬 A little note from me: My inbox is always open for questions, theories, or pure chaos about these two—I love building this world and talking through your ideas! Over the next few weeks, my feed will be full of The Trust Framework sneak peeks, headcanons, and maybe even a few “found document” posts (👀 that infamous Bridgerton Initiative folder, anyone?).