The intimacy of the moment raised eyebrows. In photos that made rounds on Page Six and Daily Mail Online, wrapped his arm tightly around ex-wife ’s waist and affectionately pulled her toward him during a paintball outing for their son Samuel’s 13th birthday in Castaic, California, on March 3.

“It seemed very flirtatious, and some even interpreted it as a steamy embrace,” says a source. “That, plus the way they were both smiling and laughing after, has led many fans to speculate that they’re going to get back together — if they haven’t already.”

So what’s really going on? “They’ve come a long way,” the source says of the pair, who have been friendly coparents since their marriage ended after 10 years in 2015. And now that Ben’s whirlwind rekindled romance and marriage to is officially over, “it’s no secret that his relationship with his first wife is better than ever — they have so much affection for each other.”

And they seemingly have no problem showing it. “Yes, they hug and touch each other a lot, but it’s just because they’re really comfortable with each other,” says the source, noting that after going through “so much together,” like navigating Ben’s addiction issues and raising three children, they’re “closer than ever.”

In June, Jen was seen letting herself into the home he was renting in the wake of his April split from J. Lo. The exes, both 52, also vacationed with their kids over the summer, celebrated Ben’s birthday in August and spent Thanksgiving as a family.

In January, the Oscar winner — who called their divorce the “biggest regret” of his life in a 2020 New York Times interview — evacuated to Jen’s house during the L.A. wildfires. “Though Ben may have behaved badly when they were married,” says the source, “they’ve developed a true friendship.” But not a rekindled romance.

“While some fans hope they’ll rekindle their relationship, it’s not going to happen. Jen will always ride to Ben’s rescue, but it stops there,” says the source, adding that even though Jen told Vanity Fair in 2016 that Ben is “the love of my life,” she is committed to her boyfriend of seven years, Cali Group CEO .

“Obviously some people think John should be worried — most men wouldn’t be thrilled to see their girlfriend in an intimate embrace with her ex — but he is confident in the fact that Jen can be there for the father of her children and also remain faithful. She’s truly in love with him.”

And those close to her are supportive of the relationship. “Jen’s friends have told her she should create better boundaries with Ben, that he’ll understand,” says the source. “It’s the best way forward. Jen needs to move on.”