Kim Kardashian and ex-boyfriend Pete Davidson reunited in a rare instance since their split when they both attended Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary show and afterparty on February 16 – and a source exclusively tells In Touch she was extremely glad to link back up with her ex in a completely civil, platonic fashion, even if she was holding out for little more in the back of her mind. 

“Kim and Pete stayed in touch for a while after their break-up but then he drifted away,” the insider says. “She tried to send out the signal that she wanted to hook-up but he didn’t bite, and she’s always felt a bit let down about that.” 

The Bupkis creator, 31, and his mega-famous former flame, 44, only dated for nine months, breaking up in October 2022. Their short-lived yet passionate romance came on the heels of Kim’s maddening split from the father of her four children, Kanye West, which made the relationship difficult for the troubled comedian to deal with. 

Despite their get-together looking like just a rebound fling, the source says Kim holds a special place in her heart for Pete and still cares about him deeply. The former couple have reunited a few times since calling it quits, notably at the 2023 Met Gala when they were pictured having a friendly conversation.

Though, the source notes the SNL party was different. It brought up dormant feelings, as their appearance and kiss for the sketch show is rumored to have sparked their romance. They’d both been on SNL before – Kim hosting their iconic October 2021 episode and Pete of course staffing the show as a regular for eight seasons – but haven’t reconnected in such a public fashion since they decided to end things, allegedly over their busy schedules.

“She definitely loved getting some affirmation from him that he still thinks of her, or at least has good memories of their time together,” the source says of their reunion that night. 

“She has no interest in rekindling, but she would love that ego boost. She obsessed over what to wear for this, she wanted something that would get Pete’s attention,” the insider continues. “She knows the buttons to push, his being on her cleavage and curves, so she wants to highlight that.” 

The SKIMS founder donned a daring silver dress, which definitely accentuated the assets she intended, while schmoozing with historic cast members of the show during the star-studded celebration. But when the two met again, the source assures there were no sparks flying in the same way as their 2021 meet. 

“She was questioning if she should approach him, and just take the bull by the horns or play it passive and wait for him to seek her out,” the source says. “She’s asked all her friends for advice,” and ultimately, had a warm reconnection that reinforced their platonic friendship.

Kim has praised her ex in public after their breakup, highlighting their good-natured relationship that continued all the way to their SNL reunion.

“He’s a cutie,” The Kardashians star said. “He’s literally such a good person, they don’t really make them like him anymore.”