Nick & Jessica.

LACHEY, Nick, 1973-; SIMPSON, Jessica, 1980-; MARRIAGES of celebrities; MARRIAGE; PARTIES; SHOPPING

This article raises questions about the status of Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson's marriage. Lachey was at a pre-game Super Bowl party with several friends when, according to a witness and as reported in New York's Daily News, a bodyguard for Lachey approached a 6-ft. blonde and said, "You want to meet Nick? Because Nick certainly wants to meet you." Was the invite really Lachey's idea? "Not true," says his rep, adding that Lachey had nothing to do with the incident. Of course, Simpson did her fair share of partying last month while filming The Dukes of Hazzard in Baton Rouge (see box, page 19). And despite the talk of marital discord that has been swirling around the pair, there was no evidence of a deep freeze when they reunited at Manhattan hot spot Butter Feb. 7, the night after the Super Bowl. Simpson was also in Louisiana where she spent time shopping at trendy boutiques--she snagged a red '70s disco dress--dining out and partying until the wee hours.