Nick Lachey and Kristin Cavallari: 'Just Friends'

Tuesday March 07, 2006 02:30 PM EST

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

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Since splitting from Jessica Simpson last year, Nick Lachey been seen with former Miss Kentucky Elizabeth Ann Arnold – and with Dancing with the Stars' Cheryl Burke. Now he's been spotted with Laguna Beach's Kristin Cavallari.

So, what's up with the latest sighting? According to both parties: Not much. Lachey, 32, and Cavallari, 19, have been in the same restaurants and parties. But "there’s nothing to talk about, there's nothing going on," Cavallari tells PEOPLE. "He's a nice guy, but I'd have to say we're just friends."

According to a Lachey pal: "Nick is not looking for a girlfriend or anything serious. He is a single guy now."

The buzz about the pair started when the newly single Lachey and his extended family stopped by the bar after dinner at the Palomino restaurant in the L.A. area, says a friend of Lachey. Cavallari was there with friends and the two groups chatted.

Kristin Cavallari Photo by: Paul Fenton-KPA / ZUMA

"Whatever happened was extremely casual," says Lachey's friend.

A few days later the two were at L.A.'s Koi – but Lachey dined with one of his agents, not Cavallari.

Going solo suits him, says pal Alyssa Milano: "Every time I see him, he's got a bevy of women around him."