Vanessa Minnillo, who has been linked with former boy-bander Nick Lachey since his marriage to Jessica Simpson broke up in 2005, insists that the couple is still going strong, despite any recent rumors of their break-up.  She has been seen recently wearing a 5-carat diamond ring on the middle finger of her left hand, but has made it clear that it is not an engagement ring—yet.

Although Minnillo was alone last weekend at Maxim’s Hot 100 Celebration in Las Vegas, she explained to Usmagazine.com that, “He would have been here with me, but he had to attend a best friend’s 40th birthday party.  So once again, it looks as if I’m always the bridesmaid but never the bride.”  She assured everyone that the romance is still going strong, and that she can see the two of them together for the long haul.

The former MTV-presenter is very happy in her relationship, saying, “…it keeps on getting better.  Maybe this will be the one time I wind up the bride instead of the bridesmaid!”  As far as an engagement ring goes, though, Minnillo is set on one thing: “It will be 10 carats when it moves to the fourth finger,” she says.

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