From the moment paparazzi conveniently captured Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel engaging in a passionate interlude on a deserted, moodily lit street in Rome a few days back, those long-simmering engagement rumors have begun to heat up. Now, on the heels of the increasingly PDA-comfortable pair's recent diamond ring purchase, Britain's Sunday People has decided to take the logical next step by claiming the crooner proposed to the well-built actress on the final night of their Italian respite (they were in town for the wedding of Biel's former "7th Heaven" co-star Beverley Mitchell). Jessica supposedly answered in the affirmative without hesitation. "He is besotted with Jessica and wants to make an honest woman of her," a source -- apparently right out of the straight-laced '50s -- tells the paper. "He planned to propose in Rome because it is such a romantic city. Jessica is over the moon and looking forward to a huge wedding. She can't wait." Timberlake, who began dating Biel not long after his four-year romance with Cameron Diaz ended in early 2007, has repeatedly brushed off nuptial talk. Still, says the insider, "Justin has grown up a lot in the last couple of years and has decided it is time to settle down." Jessica's rep didn't respond to our request for comment on the question-popping report.

Drew gets "frolicky" with Justin Long back in February.

Has Drew Barrymore reduced her nearly yearlong tongue-tied entanglement with Justin Long to a mere footnote in her romantic history? In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, the field-playing star seems to downplay the seriousness of their saliva-soaked connection, which ended in July. "I've been single for months now, and I've turned my attention toward my passions, my friends, and the causes I believe in. I've learned to put myself second," explains Drew, before adding, "I've had a couple fun, frolicky relationships, but really, I got out of a five-year relationship [with Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti] and I dated a few people here and there. Mostly it's been about learning who I am, not through a man, but for myself ... I'm so happy with where my priorities are right now." Drew, who had a post-Fabrizio fling with filmmaker Spike Jonze and has lately been linked to three different twentysomething guys, including easy-on-the-eyes "Gossip Girl" dandy Ed Westwick, was far more enamored of Long in March, when she gushed to Oprah, "This relationship is great. It's healthy, it's productive and it's supportive. It's full of humor and a lot of fun. I found a best friend."

Before the drama: L.C. and Audrina have a dead-eyed pose-off last month.

"These accusations are so crazy it's difficult for me to take them seriously. While my usual taste in guys isn't always perfect, I do prefer they shower regularly." That's "Hills" bland blonde Lauren Conrad, denying to In Touch that she had a close encounter of the touchy-feely kind with Justin Bobby, the unctuous, charm-challenged lightbulb boyfriend (read: on-again, off-again) of her pal and former roommate Audrina Patridge. Not wanting to miss out on her share of the drama, Patridge took to her official Web site to address the hookup rumors, saying, "I'm not sure what to believe. Though Justin and I have not been exclusive for quite some time, these rumors are very confusing and hurtful. I can't comment on whether they are true or false." That led L.C. to call her friend and privately discuss the matter like adults. Oh, who are we kidding? She fumed on her MySpace blog, "I'm being accused of being a bad friend, a slut and a liar all at once. ... Bottom line, I did not and would never hook up with Justin. The worst thing is knowing that a friend that I've known for years and even shared a home with thinks that I'm capable of that kind of betrayal. I would never hurt a friend like that!"

Paris celebrates sister Nicky's 25th birthday with Benji in Las Vegas on Oct. 4.

Paris Hilton apparently keeps up with the news, because she has a firm grasp of the concept of revised timetables. "I definitely want three or four [children]," the BFF-seeking, Benji Madden-smitten starlet blabbed to People as she celebrated less sparkly sister Nicky's 25th birthday in Las Vegas on Saturday night. And when does she want them? "Soon," says Paris. "Maybe a year or two." But there's no need to pull the plug on the gene pool just yet. Hilton made a similar pronouncement in 2005, when she bubbled that she wanted a baby with then-fiancé Paris Latsis within two years. For now, Paris is making the most of even the most mundane relationship milestones with Madden. "We just had our seven-month anniversary," she fate-temptingly enthuses to the mag. "We are just so happy."