Why Kevin Costner, Jewel’s pals surprised about romance

They were done playing “Foolish Games.”

Kevin Costner and Jewel, who are in the early stages of dating, have more of a history than one may think.

“Kevin and Jewel had an extremely high opinion of each other and have always gotten along great,” a source recently told Us Weekly. “They check a lot of boxes for each other.”

According to the insider, the romance between Costner, 68, and Jewel, 49, began “organically” due to their love of music.

“He’s really into his [band, Modern West], and singing, and she’s very much a part of that country-and-western world,” the source noted, adding that the “Yellowstone” actor and the Grammy nominee ran in the same social circle “for years.”

“Some of their mutual friends joke how it’s surprising they didn’t get together years ago.”

Despite their chemistry, the “Bodyguard” actor, who recently was involved in a contentious divorce from ex Christine Baumgartner, is taking things slow.

“There’s no pressure of expectation here,” the source says. “Kevin just wants to go with the flow — and so does she. But the consensus is that he’s found a real keeper in Jewel and that this has the makings of something that could be very special.”

The Post reached out to Costner and Jewel for comment.

Costner and Jewel first sparked romance rumors earlier this month after TMZ posted photos of Costner with his arms wrapped around the singer.

The two also sported matching all-white tennis outfits while attending a fund-raiser for the Grammy winner’s Inspiring Children Foundation.

According to the Daily Mail, they were spending time on Necker Island, owned by Richard Branson.

“There was definitely something going on,” a source told the outlet. “They were flirty. And when they were together, it was like they both just lit up.”

Another insider added, “You could tell they were trying to be discreet, but anybody who saw them could tell something was going on.”

Costner reportedly owes Branson, 73, for setting the two up.

“Richard is 100% responsible for Kevin and Jewel hooking up. She has been a friend of Branson’s for years, and he has been a close friend of Kevin’s since the 1990s,” a source told The Mail. “Richard invited Jewel to hold her charity fund-raiser on Necker and, honestly, the hookup happened organically. They hit it off well, and Jewel seems to be happy about it.”

Following the event, Jewel gushed on Instagram about her time with the Oscar winner.

“A little late posting. Every year, my foundation @inspiringchildren and I go to Necker Island to help host a tennis event w @richardbranson to raise funds for our kids. Amazing players like @geniebouchard come and support us in playing doubles with the folks who come. It’s an incredible time, and one I use to relax, rest and play w my son!” she wrote on Nov. 28. “@kevincostnermodernwest was kind enough to mentor our kids this year, and Sir Richard was his usual inspiring self- who also plays a mean game of doubles!”