June 21, 2007

For a couple whose existence has yet to be documented on film, Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal sure seem to be experiencing a whole lot of relationship angst. Us Weekly says the furtive flames, who have reportedly enjoyed cloak-and-dagger dinner dates and frozen yogurt runs since they were first linked in March, "have cooled."

"She has either called it off or is just taking a break," says a Witherspoon mole.

According to the magazine, the time-out comes just as things were "getting serious" between the stars, with the dreamy-eyed actor spending quality time with the Oscar winner's towheaded tots Ava, 7, and Deacon, 3, and meeting her mother.

So what went wrong?

Witherspoon, 31, who Us has said was the "pursuer" in the way-under-the-radar romance, is purportedly still recovering from the implosion of her union to Ryan Phillippe, 32, and wasn't ready to make room -- metaphorically speaking -- for Gyllenhaal, 26.

"She cares for Jake, but the timing is crappy," explains an oh-so-eloquent snitch. "She doesn't have enough emotional space for him right now."

The actress, who has allegedly been holing up at home because "she's worried that when she's in public, everyone's talking about her failed marriage," is said to be "staying strong" for her tykes.

Just three weeks ago, the unseen squeezes were spied at a Los Angeles-area doctor's office, where an eyewitness gushed to Us that they looked "totally in love."

Piped in a Gyllenhaal buddy, "Jake said he's found someone who knows how to look out for both of them, and not just themselves. Reese is more attentive than anyone else he knows."

Now, a source tells the mag, he recently informed a pal, "I'm single."

Whatever the status of their relationship, the pair will be back together in the coming months: Their drama "Rendition" hits theaters in October.

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