Charlie Sheen ‘Never Stopped Loving’ Ex-Wife Denise Richards: ‘It’s Obvious He Wants Her Back’ (Exclusive)

Charlie Sheen has been spending time with Denise Richards amid her ongoing divorce battle with ex-husband Aaron Phypers, a source tells In Touch.

On Wednesday, March 25, the Two and a Half Men star, 60, posted a photo on Instagram of him and the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, 55, hanging out with their daughter Lola, 20.

“awesome day with the girls,” he captioned the shot.

“Charlie is great in a crisis. He’s totally stepped up for Denise through everything that’s gone on with Aaron,” shares the source. “He’s offered a shoulder to cry on, money, and anything else she could possibly need. She says she doesn’t know how she’d have made it through it without Charlie.”

Sheen, who also shares daughter Sami, 22, with Richards, “even helped her out when she was recovering from her plastic surgery,” the source says of the actress’ recent facelift, the results of which she posted on Instagram in March.

“He’s constantly telling her that she looks better than she ever has,” says the source. “He’s like a puppy dog when she’s around. It’s obvious he wants her back.”

Sheen “never stopped loving” Richards, In Touch’s source reveals, despite their tumultuous divorce in 2006 and his infamous battle with drugs and alcohol. “He always says she’s the one that got away.”

The Wild Things star is “very flirty” with the now-sober actor too, adds the source.

“Denise loves to be taken care of and when Charlie is at his best, he can be very nurturing,” the source shares. “There’s a real spark back between them. Whether that will play out long term is anyone’s guess but no doubt he would love that.”