'The Bachelorette' : Rachel and Gabby Face Their 'Biggest Fear' When 1 Man Expresses a Change of Heart
"This is my worst nightmare," Gabby said on Monday's episode
This post contains spoilers from Monday's episode of The Bachelorette.
Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey's love boat docked in Belgium.
The Bachelorettes and their remaining suitors traveled aboard Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady cruise ship to Bruges, but the waters quickly got rocky. Rachel invited Logan on this week's group date, but before it took place, Logan decided to break it to Rachel that he preferred to pursue a relationship with Gabby.
"I thought I was going to get the rose from Gabby," the 26-year-old videographer explained to Rachel. "Moving forward, it's been difficult for me to forget about that connection.
When I read that date card today, I had the impression that everyone else on it was certain that you were going to be the person they ended up with at the end of this, whereas I still had reservations and feelings for Gabby. Having said that, I'm unable to attend today."
Rachel, 26, remained calm after learning the news.
"I appreciate you telling me if that's where your heart is," she said to Logan. "I just wish it had happened sooner."
'Rachel admitted' to the cameras, "I was really hoping that things could pick up with Logan and I."
She also refused to go on the group date. "I feel bad for them having to deal with this week after week," Rachel said of her men's group. "But I'm not ready right now to go on a group date and pretend I'm not a huge loser."
Rachel expressed her feelings to host Jesse Palmer, who informed the men that their date would not take place, but that they would reconvene later for the afterparty.
Logan then informed Gabby of his decision, realizing that Gabby's willingness to keep him around "seems unlikely."
"I had a conversation with Rachel this morning and told her that I needed to step away from dating her," Logan told Gabby. Gabby responded by telling Logan that he was "the only one that both of us felt comfortable saying, 'I'm into him.'"
Gabby said she wanted to check with Rachel first before officially accepting Logan into her dating pool. "On the outside of things, this is my worst nightmare," she said.
"But it isn't you. I just want to always, always, always prioritize my friends. And I am, and I am interested in you."
Gabby then checked in with Rachel, who appreciated the fact that she came to her first. However, in an on-camera interview, the flight instructor admitted to being irritated by the change.
"At the end of the day," Rachel said, "I'm going to support her no matter what." "But I'm hoping Gabby sends him home."
DATE OF RACHEL'S GROUP
Tino, Zach, Meatball, Ethan, and Tyler eventually met up with Rachel for the group date's afterparty. Rachel first explained why she had canceled their date earlier.
"I sincerely apologize to you all," Rachel told the group.
Logan did come to my room this morning. He expressed an interest in pursuing a relationship with Gabby, which was something Gabby and I were both terrified of. I thought we were far enough along in the process that this wouldn't happen. The constant rejection is exhausting. And I'd like to open the floor; if you don't want to be here, you don't have to be."
However, no one walked out. Instead, the men reassured her. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that," Ethan, a 27-year-old advertising executive, said to Rachel.
Tino admitted that Rachel canceling the group date made him feel "a little unseen." "I want to be your best friend, and I want you to tell me everything," the 27-year-old general contractor added.
Tino was told by Rachel: "I notice you. I literally look forward to every moment we spend together."
Zach encouraged Rachel to scream her annoyances. "It's not easy, and you're handling it like a champion," said the 25-year-old tech executive.
Tino received a rose from Rachel because he "continues to be extremely vulnerable with me and is able to open up with me even when it's really difficult."
DATE OF GABBY'S GROUP
Gabby took Nate, Erich, Michael, and Mario on a tour of Bruges, where they sampled Belgian waffles, played soccer, and a game of rock, paper, scissors in which the winner slapped the loser with a fish.
Logan then showed up at the afterparty, perplexing the group of men. Logan explained his desire to change groups, saying, "I got word today that she wants me to have an opportunity to pursue [her]."
Nate didn't understand Logan's decision to join Team Gabby, and Mario wanted to express his feelings to the 31-year-old nurse.
"I'm all in," the 31-year-old personal trainer told Gabby. "I think you're fantastic. And I'm crazy about you."
Erich, a 29-year-old real estate analyst, told Gabby that their relationship "could probably go somewhere."
Logan also reassured Gabby, saying, "This is where I want to be." "I'm very interested in you."
Gabby, on the other hand, ended up giving Nate the date rose.
ONE-ON-ONE WITH RACHEL
Rachel eventually took Aven on a one-on-one date, telling the cameras, "Right off the bat, Aven is one of the most handsome men I have ever seen, and we are exploring Bruges, which is one of the most romantic places I have ever been to."
They were walking around the city when they came across three lace makers. Rachel was given a wedding veil to wear by one of the women.
Aven, 28, discussed the importance of stability in relationships during the dinner portion of the date.
"My parents were never together when I was growing up," the sales executive explained. "I lived with my mother for a few years before moving in with my father for the rest of my life."
Later in life, Aven and his mother bonded, and she gave him a bracelet she made, which he then offered to Rachel. "Perhaps it'll turn your experience in all of this around for a little while," Aven speculated.
Rachel said she had "the most incredible day" with Aven and gave him a rose.
"I truly see Rachel as someone who can be my future and someone with whom I want to spend the rest of my life," Aven told the cameras.
ONE-ON-ONE WITH GABBY
Johnny and Gabby went on a date to a brewery to sample some brews and enjoy a beer-themed spa day.
Gabby felt she and the realtor, 25, had only gone "surface level," and she was looking forward to delving deeper with him.
Johnny revealed over dinner that his previous relationship ended when he began to truly be himself.
"I feel like I'm so hard on myself," Johnny told Gabby. "I think I'm lacking in confidence to the point where I should talk to people about it, or whatever. It's something I definitely struggle with. Like, depression and feeling really bad about yourself."
Gabby said she could relate because she, too, struggled with anxiety and depression. "I never have to be reserved around you," Gabby said before handing Johnny a rose.
ROSE CELEBRATION
Rachel apologized to her men's group before the cocktail party. "I apologize to everyone who missed out this week, but I'm so excited to spend another night with you all," she said. "And I'm so excited for what's to come."
Gabby told her guys that "with great risk comes great reward" when it comes to love.
But the question on everyone's mind was whether Logan's risky move from Team Rachel to Team Gabby would pay off in the end.
Rachel gave roses to Zach, Tyler, and Ethan during the rose ceremony. Gabby distributed hers to Jason, Spencer, Erich, and, finally, Logan. Her first impression rose recipient Mario was sent home as a result of the decision.
The Bachelorette airs Mondays (8 p.m. ET) on ABC.