Gwyneth 'was loaning Chris to Jen'

Gwyneth Paltrow reportedly wanted Jennifer Lawrence to know she was only "borrowing" Chris Martin.

The Hunger Games actress and Coldplay rocker were first linked in June, although this week it was claimed they had parted ways. Jennifer was said to be struggling with the amount of time Chris spent with his estranged wife Gwyneth, who he split from towards the beginning of the year.

Earlier in the month Gwyneth and Chris were spotted out for dinner and she tenderly touched his face as they went their separate ways, with the older actress apparently knowing the effect it would have on Jennifer.

"Gwyneth knew exactly what she was doing. She was sending a signal to Jennifer - you may be borrowing him, but he's not totally yours," an insider told British magazine Heat. "It's not like Gwyneth didn't know they'd be pictured - the paparazzi were clearly chasing them. It's almost like she did it intentionally, to show that she and Chris are solid and there is still a lot of love there."

It's claimed Gwyneth, 42, always thought Chris' romance with Jennifer would be short lived. There are conflicting reports about whether she has been dating Glee co-creator Brad Falchuk, but it's thought her heart still remains with Chris, 37.

"All her friends are hoping that they get back together. Everyone thinks she misses Chris, because she's been asking to spend more time with him than she did when they were married!" the source said. "But Gwyneth's smart enough to know that the only way to get him back would be to let him date Jen with no guilt and just act like the coolest ex-wife ever."