Sets Her s on Ben

-EATER!

26, was dating Calvin Harris at the time, and then jumped into a romance with Tom Hiddleston, 35). “It started off as innocent texts, but those messages have become much more flirtatious, especially after Taylor split from Tom [in early September].” And now, she’s hoping to turn their friendship into a full-blown romance. “She’s made it clear to Ben that she’s interested — and Taylor always gets what she wants.”

Ben’s exactly her type. “He’s mature, worldly and older,” says the source, adding that Taylor also thinks dating someone like Ben, who is well-respected in Hollywood, could help repair her tarnished image. “Her string of disastrous relationships has made her the butt of many jokes. Dating Ben might make people take her more seriously.”

Ben’s on board, even though he still isn’t divorced from Jennifer Garner. “He’s had a crush on Taylor since they first met and feels like they have a real connection,” says the source, adding that Ben, who’s also Dad to Samuel, 4, was attracted to how kindly Taylor treated his daughters at her show. “He’s enjoying getting to know her. He’s been sending her daily jokes and funny Youtube videos and has also sent flowers to her NYC apartment. He’s slowly paving a way for a romance.”

But those close to Ben are begging him to be careful. “Especially Jennifer,” says the source. “She thinks Ben could be playing with fire. Between their divorce and the nanny cheating scandal, Jen thinks he’s been through enough drama over the past year and that this can only end badly. Everyone thinks he’s going to walk away from this romance embarrassed and the subject of another one of Taylor’s bitter breakup songs.” ◼