Matthew & Courteney Love Atlast

ROMANCE BLOOMS BETWEEN LONGTIME FRIENDS COURTENEY COX AND MATTHEW PERRY FOLLOWING HIS RECENT SETBACK

Their chemistry was undeniable. On Nov. 7, Courteney Cox and Matthew Perry sat down for an intimate lunch. “They had such a wonderful time reminiscing and talking about future plans,” says a source, adding that they kept gazing into each other’s eyes and touching each other’s hands. “You could see their connection. It was very cute, and they were both happy.”

The sweet outing was a far cry from just three days earlier — when Courteney rushed to be by Matthew’s side following a reported relapse. On Nov. 4, an onlooker saw the disheveled actor — who’s battled substance abuse issues for more than two decades — “swaying, swerving and smoking” outside a West Hollywood restaurant. “Courteney heard the news and was worried sick. She dropped everything and hurried out to meet him,” a friend tells OK!, adding that when she got there, she and Matthew, 50, sat down for a very intense chat about his behavior that was filled with hugs, tears — and a bombshell confession. “In a moment of vulnerability, Matthew told Courteney that he was in love with her, and always has been,” shares an insider, adding that the actress,55, then let Matthew know that “she’s in love with him too, and is excited to see where this goes.”

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