Jessica Simpson dating Zach Braff?

Jessica Simpson was spotted strolling along a trendy Santa Monica street, checking out doggie products with an adoring male companion.

The lucky guy at her side? Scrubs star Zach Braff reports Star Magazine! “They were holding hands and laughing ,� a source says of the duo. “It was definitely a date!� For the record, Jess has not adapted well to single life. “She feels like marriage was so much easier,’ a source reports.

Meanwhile. Jessica Simpson's next album, A Public Affair, is set for release Aug. 29 – and though the title may make it sound like it's about the spotlight placed on her crumbling marriage to Nick Lachey,she insists that isn't the case writes People Magazine

"A Public Affair is a play on words," Simpson, 26, tells MTV News. "It's not about what you think it's going to be about."

"People probably expected (it to be about Lachey) because of everything going on in my life, but it's not about him at all."

"It's about me going out with my girlfriends and forgetting everything that's around me, which is paparazzi, and just having a fun night. Because (paparazzi) can ruin a night."