Earlier this month, Brad Pitt and Charlize Theron sparked major dating rumors after the pair was reportedly spotted getting cozy at an A-list event on January 12. Shortly thereafter, a source revealed exclusively to In Touch that there have “always been sparks” between the War Machine actor, 55, and Atomic Blonde, actress, 43. The question is, however, will those “sparks” turn into a bona fide romance?

Speaking with an additional insider, In Touch has learned that Brad and Charlize grew “closer” in the years since Brad’s high profile divorce from Angelina Jolie. “They talk more, there’s a friendly flirting [and] definitely a mutual attraction. Absolute chemistry,” the insider confessed.

That said, given how famous they both are, Brad and Charlize seemingly put their connection on hold. “They’re being cautious, but I’ve heard both sides — that they’ve secretly hooked up and decided to stay mum about it,” the insider continued. “Also heard that they’re into each and it’s just a matter of time before they do hook up. They know the snowball effect it will have for their privacy and that of their kids, which is already under a microscope.”

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Seeing as Brad has six children — Maddox, 17, Pax, 15, Zahara, 14, Shiloh, 12, Vivienne, 10, and Knox, 10 — who all live in the spotlight thanks to their parents’ often ugly custody battle, it seems wise that he would want to keep any future romantic relationship private. Charlize, too, has children of her own — Jackson, 7, and August, 3 — whose lives she tries keeps out of the public eye.

Even so, the insider noted that Brad and Charlize’s respective families may actually be yet another thing bringing them together. “Besides the chemistry, Brad and Charlize are a good match [because] they have similar family values and ideals. It’s just a matter of time before they make it public.”

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