The 26-year-old singer-and-actress – who split up with husband Pete Wentz after just over two years of marriage in February – has been spotted kissing and holding hands with the actor in New York.

It is not the first time Ashlee, who has two-year-old son Bronx Mowgli with former ‘Fall Out Boy’ star Pete, has spent time with another man since her break-up – she has also enjoyed the company of D.R.U.G.S. front-man Craig Owens, who is a good friend of her ex’s.

However, in March Ashlee was seen holding hands with her 32-year-old estranged husband, sparking speculation the pair had reconciled as she “lovingly leaned” on him while out.

A source said: “Ashlee and Pete held hands, and Pete especially looked very happy. While waiting for their drinks, Pete had his arm around Ashlee and they definitely looked like a couple again.

“Ashlee kept smiling and lovingly leaned on Pete.”

The Black Cards rocker was surprised to find his estranged wife who filed for divorce last month – pictured with his friend, D.R.U.G.S musician Craig Owens.

A source told Usmagazine.com: “Pete did a lot for this guy. Craig was in another band and got kicked out. Pete found Craig, built a band around him and signed him. He’s shocked at how this guy is repaying him.”

Sources close to 25 year old Ashlee who has two-year-old son, Bronx with Pete claim despite pictures of heavily tattooed Craig, 26, with his arm around her, they are just friends.

A friend explained: “Ashlee and Craig are long time friends. They have spent some time together, and he is comforting her throughout this difficult time.”

Despite Ashlee applying for sole custody of Bronx on her divorce papers, and Pete requesting joint care, another source said they are both working to reach an amicable agreement.

A source told website People.com: “Ashlee and Pete’s split is amicable and they’re working together to make this as positive a situation for Bronx as possible.”

Ashlee Simpson looks to be heading for a child custody battle after her husband Pete Wentz submitted legal papers asking for joint primary and legal custody of the couple’s son Bronx.

Ashlee Simpson, the American singer-songwriter who recently split from husband Pete Wentz, appears to be caught up in a child custody battle after the pair filed differing court requests concerning their son Bronx, reports Tmz.com.

Wentz has submitted legal papers in Los Angeles where he asks for joint primary and legal custody, but 26-year-old Ashlee has sought primary physical custody and joint legal custody. Another discrepancy in the couple’s requests is that Wentz is seeking each party to pay their own legal fees, while Simpson is looking for the Fall Out Boy star to pay both.

The couple married back in 2008 when Ashlee was three months pregnant with their little-boy Bronx. It is currently unclear why the pair decided to separate but a statement released after their divorce announcement noted, “We remain friends and deeply committed and loving parents to our son Bronx, whose happiness and well-being remains our number one priority”.

Ashlee Simpson released her last album, ‘Bittersweet World’ in 2008. The record, produced by Timbaland, Chad Hugo and Kenna, peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200.

The 26-year-old singer – who announced she would be divorcing the former Fall Out Boy rocker last week after two years of marriage – has gone to stay with her sibling and partner Eric Johnson, and taken her three-year-old son Bronx Mowgli there while she deals with the split.

A source said: “Leaving Pete was tough for Ashlee and she needed to be with her family.

“Jessica told her she and Bronx were welcome to stay with them until she was ready to find a place of her own.”

Jessica and Eric are taking good care of Ashlee and Bronx in their home and are thought to be praying for her to get through the tough time.

The source added to In Touch: “There have been a lot of family dinners and lots of praying. Ashlee couldn’t have asked for better support.”

Although Ashlee has gone to spend time with her family, Pete is believed to have taken the break-up badly and spent a lot of time crying about the divorce.

A source recently said: “Pete has been crying a lot to her about this. He is crushed, and does not want it to be over.

“Ashlee is done, she loves him, but she’s ready to move on. When he travelled for work, she had a lot of time to think and in the end just felt happier without him.”

Simpson filed for divorce from the Fall Out Boy bassist on Wednesday in Los Angeles, citing irreconcilable differences, court records show. The singer and actress is seeking physical custody of their 2-year-old son.

“After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to file for divorce,” the former couple said in a joint statement. “We remain friends and deeply committed and loving parents to our son Bronx, whose happiness and well-being remains our No. 1 priority.”

Simpson married Wentz in May 2008 and her court filing does not indicate when the couple broke up.

She is the sister of performer Jessica Simpson and has released three albums and appeared in the reboot of the television series “Melrose Place.”

Wentz’s band, Fall Out Boy, said in early 2010 that is was taking a break, although the 31-year-old said at the time that the group’s breakup had been blown out of proportion.

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Nicky Hilton

Maria Menounos and AnnaLynne McCord

Denise Richards

Designer Stacey Bendet and Kourtney Kardashian

Estella Warren

Katharine McPhee

One thing’s for sure Ashlee Simpson definitely is no stranger to shocking us when it comes to her drastic hair changes. Ashlee and husband Pete Wentz stepped out for an evening in Los Angeles last night, to show off her new VERY short blonde hair.

What do you think? Do you like Ashlee’s new hair?

Ashlee Simpson Wentz and Jessica Simpson

Ashlee Simpson Wentz and Pete Wentz

Eric Johnson and Jessica Simpson

Ashley Simpson and Jessica Simpson

Vanessa Hudgens

Selma Blair