Kevin Costner’s ex-wife Christine Baumgartner is flaunting her new relationship with a friend of the former couple, nearly a year after they first sparked romance rumours.

The 50-year-old handbag designer was spotted getting cozy Tuesday (May 14) with financier Josh Connor as they walked around Montecito, California, according to photos published by TMZ.

Though the two reportedly weren’t caught kissing, they were photographed holding hands and wrapping their arms around each other’s waists.

The pictures come roughly a year after Baumgartner filed for divorce from the Yellowstone star, nearly 19 years after their late 2004 nuptials.

“It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action,” a publicist for Costner said in a statement at the time.

By July, Baumgartner and Connor – a former neighbour of the couple – were seen enjoying a Hawaiian vacation, with insiders at the time telling TMZ the two were just friends.

Her pal told People back in January that though “Josh was initially just a friend,” the pair have been dating “since she split from Kevin.”

“He is a divorced dad and understands what she’s been going through,” said the friend. “They both love the ocean and beach life. It’s something that makes Christine happy.”

The Oscar winner and Baumgartner settled their acrimonious divorce in September, with a Santa Barbara judge upholding their prenup agreement and deciding Costner would only have to pay a monthly sum of US$63,000 in child support, though she initially sought US$248,000 a month.

Together, the Field Of Dreams star and Baumgartner share sons Cayden, 17, and Hayes, 15, as well as daughter Grace, 13. Costner also has four adult children – three with ex-wife Cindy Silva and one with ex-girlfriend Bridget Rooney. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service