Logan Palmer took Rachel Recchia by surprise on the Aug. 8 episode of The Bachelorette — and not in a good way. After being chosen to go on the next group date with Rachel, Logan realized that he had to tell her that he still had feelings for Gabby Windey. “For this whole journey, I’ve gotten to know Rachel as this wonderful person, but the worst thing I could do is get to a point where relationships are more serious and then bring this up,” Logan explained. “I need to tell her I can’t go [on the date] and I need to tell her why. I have no clue how she’ll react, but maybe she’ll understand. I’m praying she will.”
Rachel was shocked when Logan showed up at her door, and even more shocked at his confession. “I feel like something’s kind of been holding me back a little bit,” Logan admitted. “A feeling I’ve been anchored down by a little bit. At the beginning of this journey on the first group date, you and I shared a real connection. But I also got to talk with Gabby and me and Gabby also had a strong connection. At the end of the night, I originally thought I was going to receive a rose from Gabby and it’s been hard for me moving forward to kind of forget about that connection.”
He continued, “When I read that date card today, I felt that everyone else on that card was sure that you were going to be someone they could end up with at the end of this, and I still had reservations and feelings for Gabby. That being said, I can’t go today.”
Rachel was practically speechless when Logan said he was going to “step away” from pursuing things with her. “You accepted so many roses from me when the whole time you didn’t even want to spend time with me,” she said. “I appreciate you bringing this to me, but I just wish it would’ve been earlier.”
After walking him out, Rachel broke down in tears. “I was really hopeful that things could pick up with Logan because I think he’s a great guy. I’m attracted to him. I gave him the first group date rose,” Rachel said in a confessional. “The whole time he’s thinking, ‘How do I tell Rachel I don’t even want to be here?’ Everyone is leaving me. The rejection just feels really awful. It almost feels like I’m doing something wrong. This was supposed to be my time to find someone and everyone’s rejecting me week after week after week. I don’t even know why I’m here. I don’t want to do his anymore.”
Despite a pep talk from Jesse Palmer, Rachel still wasn’t in the right mindset to go on the group date. She cancelled the date, disappointing the five other men who were supposed to get more time with her that day. However, she did agree to attend the after-party that evening so she could see the guys.
Meanwhile, Logan went to Gabby’s room to fill her in. “I was on fire for you that first night an I was hopeful that you would give me a rose,” Logan explained. “And I got one from Rachel and we’ve had some great moments, but I’ve come back to thinking about you and it’s something that’s gotten in the way.”
Gabby admitted that Logan was the only guy who she and Rachel “overlapped” on when they were deciding on which men they wanted to pursue. “When you came over you kissed both of us and it sounded like you and Rachel had a great conversation so I completely backed away,” Gabby said. “But I was like…dang…I am very interested. It might not be as easy for me to let go of my feelings. But we are on our separate journeys now, and I just want to check in with Rachel.”
Before separating, Gabby and Logan joked around a little, and afterward, he was even more confident in his feelings for her. Gabby then went to talk to Rachel to discuss how they should move forward. Rachel explained her frustrations at Logan for stringing her along, and Gabby was supportive. However, Rachel also urged Gabby to follow her own heart and not worry about her when deciding if she wanted to pursue Logan.
Rachel gave Gabby the OK to explore things with Logan, but in a confessional, she admitted to her fears that Logan would string Gabby along and hurt her in the future, as well. “At the end of the day, I’m going to support [Gabby] no matter what,” Rachel said. “But I really hope Gabby sends him home.”
Gabby did decide to give Logan a chance. After having a group date with six of her men, she chose to invite Logan to the after-party to explore their feelings. The other men were totally caught off guard and not happy that another guy was added to the mix. Gabby wound up giving Logan a rose at the next rose ceremony, as well.