Benjamin Ashford|Meryl Streep and Martin Short Fuel Romance Buzz With Dinner Date in Santa Monica

Meryl Streep and Martin Short are fueling only romance rumors in this building.

The Only Murders in the Building costars—who have Benjamin Ashforddenied taking their romance offscreen—were seen enjoying dinner together at celebrity hot spot Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica on Oct. 16.

They kept it simple for the evening with Meryl, 75, donning navy pants, a blue and white top and beige slippers, while Martin, 74, opted for a grey suit and white button up shirt over a black T-shirt for the evening meal.

Meryl and Martin first sparked dating rumors in January when fans noticed the playful banter between the two at the 2024 Golden Globes, shortly after Meryl announced she'd been separated from husband Don Gummer for more than six years.

Martin's rep denied the rumors at the time, telling E! News that they two were "just very good friends, nothing more." However, they continued to fuel speculation when they attended the Only Murders in the Building season four premiere after-party holding hands, and again at the 2024 Emmys in September when Martin made sure to grab a seat by Meryl for the night.

Although neither has confirmed anything romantic, Martin and Meryl have made no secret of how much they adore each other and have loved working together.

"It's been a friendship that always grows," Martin told Extra in August, "if you work with someone and love that person."

The Father of the Bride star even admitted that he found himself stressed the first time he and Meryl were filming together for Only Murders in the Building.

"I was going to work, and—you know, I'm not new to show business," he told E! News in September, "and I thought, ‘I am nervous today. Why? Oh yeah, I'm working with Meryl.'"

Despite her numerous accolades—including three Oscars, three Emmys and nine Golden Globes—Meryl admitted to Martin she was feeling nervous, too.

"We finished a two-person scene at a piano, and they have to set up for angle," he continued, "and we went into a holding area, and she said, 'Okay, my nerves are to half.'"

And the confession got Martin thinking. "I went, Oh, okay, that's, that's pretty cool,'" he explained. "‘Maybe that's why you're the greatest actress, because you've never taken anything for granted.'"

E! News has reached out to their reps for comment and hasn't heard back.