By Julie Moult
With their arms wrapped around each other, smiling and giggling, Hilary Duff and her estranged husband look more like newlyweds.
The former couple, who announced their separation in January, enjoyed a sunny day out in Beverly Hills on Saturday with their adorable two year-old Luca.
At one point former ice hockey pro Mike took Hilary in his arms and lifted her off the ground while she held their son.
In another shot Mike has his arm around Hilary’s shoulder as they strol contentedly through a park.
Earlier in the day the family popped out for lunch and some high-end shopping in Beverly Hills.
Hard to believe the pair announced their ‘amicable’ separation in January after almost four years of marriage.
At the time a rep for the couple told US Weekly: ‘They remain best friends and will continue to be in each other’s lives. They are dedicated to loving and parenting their amazing son, and ask for privacy at this time.’
But the happy scenes this weekend fueled speculation that they are on the verge of reconciling.
It’s just one in a series of outings for the family over the last few months.
Both the Lizzie McGuire star and the former professional ice hockey player have lost weight since going their separate ways.
Hilary, 26, showed off her svelte, slender figure in a black sleeveless tee, skintight black jeans and quirky black and white ankle boots. She tied her blonde tresses back into an untidy ponytail and didn’t appear to be wearing any make-up, allowing her creamy complexion to shine.
The So Yesterday singer carried their two-year-old, who looked cute in a white tee, light blue jeans covered with black spots, and black and blue sneakers.
Meanwhile, her 33-year-old ex appeared to be back to his athletic best in a grey T-shirt with black sleeves that showed of his well-muscled chest, black jeans and grey sneakers.
Mike helped Hilary swing little Luca down from a high step and carried a brown bag plus Hilary’s oatmeal tote. The actress also had a large carrier from designer store James Perse.
Last week the family were seen out at an LA Kings hockey game at the Staples Centre in downtown Los Angeles, as the team battled its way to Friday’s second Stanley Cup win.
Hilary’s sister Haylie remarked of their relationship to People: ‘You know, I think maybe we all think it’s a lot weirder than it really is, but we love Mike, and he’s still so much a part of our family.
‘I might see Mike actually more than I see Hilary, which is weird.’
At the iHeartRadio Awards on May 1, Hilary told Giuliana Rancic on E! News: ‘We’re constantly seen together and everyone’s like, “What are they doing? Are they back together or are they not?” ‘
She added: ‘We’re really good friends and we have so much respect for each other, and, obviously, Luca is our No. 1 priority. I think we got to a point where we were, like, we really need to honor happiness, and so, whatever that is and however we need to sort that out or work that out, we’re doing that.
‘You know, we love each other so much and we really love spending time together. So, when you see us out it’s not just for Luca — it’s because we make plans and we hang out. We don’t know what our future looks like right now, but we’re both doing really good and just figuring out what makes us happy.’