It's always cute when newbie stars brush off rumours about their love lives by calling them "silly" and saying "we're just good friends!" Fresh faces like Gossip Girl's blonde bombshell Blake Lively have yet to learn that making public denials like these mean only one thing: the rumours are true. Back in January, Lively said just that regarding tabloid stories linking her to on-screen make-out partner Penn Badgley (he's the hot-but-nerdy one, a la Seth Cohen on The OC). And shockingly (!), pictures released today prove not only that Blake and Penn have been fooling around poolside - in an uncanny rendition of Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer's beachy-keen gallery last week - but that they may actually make it after all.

While Lively may not have the sort of fearsome fembot rack as Aniston, her tongue twister partner reminds us of a far less annoying, far cuter version of John Mayer 1.0: when Mayer first got noticed and had yet to unleash his bitchy blog posts and gain a rep for Master Starlet Dumper.

And judging by Penn's willingness to protect his baby's back with SPF and, to use that godawful teenybopper term, "cuddle," we actually feel optimistic about this particular couple's chances. No gay rumors thus far, and really, what are the odds either of these tall, not-so-tan, thin and lovely bodies will spot someone hotter and split?

[Photo credits: National Photo Group via People]

• EXCLUSIVE: BLAKE & PENN'S ROMANTIC GETAWAY [People]

Tags: blake lively | gallery | gossip girl | hanky panky | jennifer aniston | john mayer | penn badgley | rumors