Nick Lachey out with an unknown woman yesterday

We’re prefacing this article with the fact that it’s from Star, because as many of you know that means it’s just as likely to be creative fiction. It’s plausible at least. Star reports that recently dumped Jessica Simpson went crying to her ex husband, Nick Lachey. Lachey was said to have been supportive and kind, but to have told Jessica in no uncertain terms that there’s no chance that they’re going to reconcile. Last week Lachey told People that he wished Jessica “the best, as I’ve always done,” but added that “I haven’t talked to her in probably two years.” That story might nullify this report, or maybe Jessica reached out to Nick after he wished her well through the press.

Since Jessica and Tony split, the Dallas Cowboy’s quarterback has been on a tear, kliving it up like a bachelor and partying with a bevy of beauties. His behavior has been so upsetting to Jessica, she’s turned to Nick, 35 – who’s also newly single after splitting with Vanessa Minnillo in late June – to boost her bruised ego, insiders tell Star. “He was trying to reassure her that things would get better,” says one. “Nick even made a joke about how he never really liked the Cowboys anyway. It made Jessica laugh and definitely cheered her up.”

It also gave her the wrong impression. Nick, thinking they were just friends, invited Jessica over for a late lunch at his place a few days after her July 10 birthday, says an insider. “Nick made BLTs. It was great for them to reconnect and catch up on all that has happened in their lives over the past few years.” But the time spent together got Jessica thinking about starting something with Nick again. “Part of her has always regretted leaving him,” reveals the insider.

An emotional Jessica got so wrapped up in the moment, she hinted that maybe she and Nick could spend some more time together and “see what happens,” says another insider. But she didn’t get the answer she was hoping for. “Although it had been nice to see Jess, Nick still hasn’t forgotten how badly she broke his heart. He told her he just couldn’t go through all that again.”

“Nick’s willing to be friends,” says an insider. “But that’s all. She’s upset and confused. Only days after being dumped by Tony, she’s rejected again. It’s been a rough week.”

[From Star Magazine, print edition, August 3, 2009]

Is Jessica turning to her exes, including John Mayer, for support, or are the tabloids making up crap in the wake of her high profile breakup? She strikes me as the type who needs a lot of support and who is probably hurting badly at this point. I can see her calling up Nick and John Mayer and wanting to talk and maybe get some intimate solace. We heard from People last week that her family was really worried about her and that she wasn’t handling things well. Simpson would do well to just accept Nick’s friendship and advice and not hit the sheets with Mayer, if that’s even a possibility. There are plenty of guys who would be thrilled to date her, but she needs to get her bearings first and reach a place where she doesn’t need a man in her life in order to feel normal.

It looks like Nick has moved on anyway. He was spotted out with a lovely blonde on what looked like a date in Sherman Oaks, CA yesterday. Only one agency has the photos so maybe the one photographer got lucky and found him and he wasn’t looking for publicity.

Credit: Fame Pictures