AceShowbiz -

Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo are on again. It was the former boybander himself who confirmed the reunion, telling "Good Day Philadelphia" in an interview on Thursday, October 8, "I am happy in a relationship. I was single for a minute there, and then we've kind of patched things up there."

And Nick has nothing but good words for Vanessa, whom he's been dating since 2006. He described the former MTV VJ as "a very smart girl" and even gushed, "She's far smarter than I!"

In the meantime, a source informs People that Nick and Vanessa are still working things out before bringing their relationship to the next level. "They've always had a lot of love for each other, but they took a little break, and now they're working on their relationship," says the source.

After being hit repeatedly with false yet persistent break-up reports, Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo confirmed through their representatives back in June that they had called it quits. Their split was claimed as "amicable" with both parties "still greatly care for one another."

It wasn't long though that Nick and Vanessa were seen together again. In late August, they were reportedly seen making out during a night outing at Dime bar in Los Angeles. Earlier last month, they were said having a heart-to-heart conversation while attending a friend's birthday at Billy Marks West bar in N.Y.C.