Amid a swirl of rumors and online speculation as to the state of her relationship with pop star Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez took some time to hang out with country’s golden girl Taylor Swift, perhaps for some consolation.

The two were spotted having an Italian dinner together after spending time at a Los Angeles recording studio–where Bieber also showed up–and spent some time talking and laughing before heading back to the studio. After a rough week with the boyfriend, it could be that Swift was acting as the best friend who swooped in to take her mind off things; the two are no strangers to a comforting friendship, apparently, as Gomez relayed recently in an interview with Glamour Magazine.

“Taylor’s amazing,” Gomez said. “She’s so smart and sweet and humble—and she’s way more successful than I am! So when I see her after everything she’s been through and she just wants to go home and bake cookies with me, that to me is awesome.”

Bieber and Gomez have been the focus of paparazzi lately due to a rumor that he got involved with a Victoria’s Secret model after performing at their annual fashion show; the couple has remained silent regarding questions about their relationship, however.

Image: Bauer/Griffin