Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez Hold Hands Amid Breakup Rumors

By Alison Schwartz

07/06/2012 at 11:30 AM EDT

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez have publicly addressed breakup rumors – with a little P.D.A., that is.

The couple stepped out holding hands in Los Angeles Thursday as they enjoyed a date night at the Pink Pepper Restaurant.

Photographs of the pop stars' romantic outing may quiet the buzz that began when Gomez was – according to a source – upset and "crying about Justin" during Ashley Tisdale's birthday bash on Monday.

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But it could be a case of on-again, off-again: Bieber, 18, and Gomez, 19, who publicly confirmed their romance by kissing during a press conference in May 2011, reportedly split last week, but later reconciled.

The couple previously faced rumors of a rocky romance last August, which evaporated when they sat next to each other at the Teen Choice Awards.