There's nothing like swapping spit while nestled in your sweetie's lap to show you're finally ready to take a few tentative steps into the public eye. Kate Hudson, 27, and Owen Wilson, 38, who have long tried to keep their relationship under-the-radar, got lovey-dovey over lunch last Friday at seen-and-be-seen Los Angeles eatery The Ivy at the Shore, reports People. "From the second they walked in, they were all over each other," a bystander tells the mag. "Kate even [sat] on his lap to give him kisses." The buttery locked, look-alike "You, Me and Dupree" squeezes, who were first linked right around the time Hudson's marriage to hirsute rocker Chris Robinson imploded in August 2006 (they have a 3-year-old son, Ryder), even smiled as paparazzi captured their exit (see picture above). According to a pal, Kate and Owen's PDA shows a "natural progression" in their romance. "Owen has realized what a great thing he has," offers the pro-Hudson insider. "They're having fun, but things are definitely getting more serious." Wilson has already received a positive if uninspired thumbs-up from little brother Luke, who tells People, "He seems very happy. [Kate] is a very nice girl."

That sound you hear? It's a collective groan of disappointment from every fanboy who's ever secretly kissed his "Dark Angel" poster before bed. Jessica Alba is brushing off chatter that her two-year-old romance with Cash Warren is kaput, insisting to E!'s "The Daily 10" that they're still very much together. The split rumors began a few days back when paparazzi snapped the sultry starlet sharing a hug with director David Moreau on the set of "The Eye." The talk grew louder on Monday, when an unsmiling Jess hit Los Angeles hot spot Winston's with her "Honey" director Bille Woodruff -- and sans Cash. But the actress tells E! that Woodruff is just her BFF, and all is well with Warren.

Penélope Cruz and Josh Hartnett have apparently graduated from touchy-feely dinner dates to romantic Caribbean sojourns. The New York Post says the rumored amours looked thisclose while vacationing last week at a swanky private resort on the Turks and Caicos Islands. Also making the tropical scene: Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, who were seen smooching at the hideaway's restaurant. The duo was reportedly crashing at the island home of Demi's friendly ex-hubby, Bruce Willis.

In other getaway news, is Kirsten Dunst treating new beau Johnny Borrell to an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan? That's the word from the London Daily Mirror, which claims the smitten starlet is coughing up the some serious cash, including a few thousand bucks for a first-class plane ticket, to ensure the Razorlight frontman is with her at the upcoming premiere of "Spider-Man 3" in Tokyo. "Everyone raised their eyebrows when they got together as they seemed quite an odd couple," an insider tells the paper. "But it's the real thing." The lanky lovebirds, who have been spotted locking lips everywhere from Austin, Texas, to London, are also purportedly planning to rendezvous soon in Los Angeles. "Kirsten ... misses Johnny so much that she's flying him over there for a week," says the mole, before adding, "He's really looking forward to being with Kirsten in Japan because he adores her -- and he loves sushi!"

Next: Woo Who? Aniston's Match Games