AceShowbiz - Ben Affleck isn't embarking on a new romantic relationship just yet despite dating rumors linking him to Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy. After speculation floated online about their relationship amid the actor's divorce from Jennifer Lopez, it's now reported that they're not an item.

In an article published by TMZ on Monday, August 26, it cited sources as claiming that "there's no romance brewing between Ben and Kick, despite their recent sightings together." The sources added that "they're not dating and are definitely not a couple," insisting they're just friends.

While their relationship is platonic right now, it might not be the case in the past. According to another report by Daily Mail, the twosome previously enjoyed a brief fling prior to Ben's reunion with J.Lo in 2021.

Sources told the site that the Hollywood star and the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are "enjoying spending time" together but she remains "tight-lipped" about their connection because she doesn't want to be seen as a "mistress."

"Ben and Kick had a fling before he got back together with J.Lo," the source spilled. "They met because Ben is from Boston and when you live in Boston, the Kennedy family is royalty. So when he started hanging out with Kick, he legit thought that he had landed into the Kennedy family. But she was too young and not ready for anything serious."

The source stressed that the pair's romance did not ever overlap with the actor's rekindled relationship with J.Lo, "They didn't have any affair during his marriage, but it is interesting to Kick's friends that as soon as this divorce happened all of a sudden Ben is hanging out with an old hookup whose family he sees as royalty."

Of Kick's alleged admiration for Ben, the source shared, "She thinks that he is intelligent and very much her style but is being incredibly tight-lipped because she does not want to be seen as a mistress." The so-called insider insisted, "She is not a mistress. She is nothing like JLo and likes to keep her private life private."

Though so, Kick isn't wasting much time worrying about how J.Lo might feel about Ben's decision to reconnect as the source said, "Kick is fond of Ben, and she does not care what J.Lo thinks honestly. When they started hanging out, he and J.Lo were separated. He made this very clear with her. J.Lo listing their separation as April only confirmed this."

The source continued, "They are both taking it day by day but so far, she is enjoying spending time with him. They hang out at Beverly Hills Hotel because it offers a level of privacy to celebs that nowhere else does. The fact that people say she looks like Jen Garner is flattering to her as she thinks Jen is beautiful."

A second source confirmed that the pair are simply getting to know each other better as they stated, "Ben has been spending time with Kick but there is nothing there yet." The source explained, "They are friends and enjoy hanging with each other and it is true that she really doesn't have any thoughts about what J.Lo would think of her spending time with Ben. He's a great guy and they are getting to know each other."

Speculation arose about Ben and Kick's relationship after they were spotted hanging out multiple times amid his divorce from J.Lo. Page Six reported that they have been seen together at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel and other celebrity hotspots. A so-called insider told the outlet that "Kick's celeb crush has always been Ben."

Meanwhile, J.Lo filed for divorce from Ben on August 20 after two years of marriage. She listed April 26 as the date of separation and cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for their split.