2 Fan Favorites Return, Cindy Struggles with Mel’s Connections

The competition is becoming serious in the latest episode of The Golden Bachelor.

After 66-year-old Mel Owens shared a steamy kiss with Nicolle, 64, during a group pool day last week, tension began to brew at the mansion. However, when some of the ladies shared their feelings with Nicolle, she didn’t see any reason to apologize.

“I’m sorry, I’m attracted to him,” she said. “We were half-naked in the pool. We kissed.”

While Amy, 63, was able to understand Nicolle’s perspective — saying “maybe she got caught up in the moment and forgot” — Cindy, 60, was having a harder time moving past it.

“I have some concerns about what I saw at the pool party,” she admitted in her confessional. “I am not okay with Mel trying to explore things with other women. I’ve had people cheat on me before, and I don’t share men very well.”

Terri, 71, agreed and told Nicolle that it was “disrespectful” to pull Mel in for a kiss when the rest of the women were watching.

“I’m a little surprised at how prim and proper the women seem to be,” Nicolle explained. “But I suspect, like other things, I’ll be the pioneer here and they’ll just follow.”

The topic continued to come up throughout the episode, and even became the punchline of Monica B.’s joke at the group date “roast.”

“You’re going to need a helmet and a mouth guard to keep Nicolle’s tongue from going down your throat,” she quipped as Mel and Nicolle both laughed.

When it was Nicolle’s turn to take the stage, she kept it going as she stated, “I am the one who kissed Mel! Amy was so appalled, she had no words, and you can all thank me for that,” she added, poking fun at Amy’s chattiness. 

Nicolle closed out her routine with a rhyme that won her the one-on-one date that night.

“Roses are red, violets are blue, I want all the women to love me, but especially you,” she said, pointing at Mel before teasing about the other men in the audience: “And you, and you.”

The pair had a heart-to-heart at their dinner later, and Mel acknowledged that they have a strong connection.

“The time that I spend with Nicolle is very meaningful,” he noted. “The chemistry between us is good. You can’t manufacture the chemistry and you can’t fight it. And she’s definitely a person I can see in my life.”

His next one-on-one was with Debbie, 65. While they were gone, the rest of the women got a visit from two surprise guests: Kathy Swarts and Susan Noles from The Golden Bachelor’s debut season.

“We’re here to give some advice, and we’re here to get some dirt,” Susan exclaimed.

After changing into pajamas with Mel’s face on them and playing “sleepover” games, Cindy took the opportunity to open up to Kathy privately.

“I don’t know if what I feel with Mel is reciprocated,” she shared. “I’m struggling a little bit. What’s been hard is seeing other people spend time with him and truly develop connections and I can see that those connections are real.”

Kathy suggested Cindy “put that aside” and “focus on what you and he have.”

“Tell him how you’re feeling,” she said, although Cindy remained uneasy.

“I have feelings for Mel, but I’m seeing him have more time with other people, not choosing me, and I’m wondering, ‘How do I navigate this?’” she said.

The next night was the week 3 rose ceremony, which started off with the women “in line to kiss Mel” as others worried about their status with him. When it was her turn to have a conversation with the leading man, Cindy decided to tap into her vulnerability.

“At the beginning of the week, it was really hard for me to see him connect with other women, especially physically,” she explained. “I’ve been betrayed in my past and it makes it really difficult for me to be vulnerable. Tonight I’m gonna trust in Kathy’s advice, just be present and see where this goes.”

She went on to tell Mel how appreciative she was of the experience and thanked him for “all the things that you’ve treated me to.” She also confessed that their makeout session in the previous episode reminded her of “that old part of Cindy” that she had forgotten about.

“One life, it should be fun,” Mel said, before telling her that he liked her hair. 

Talking to cameras, Cindy called herself “a smitten kitten” and gushed over Mel “checking all the boxes” of what she’s looking for in a partner: “He is handsome, he is intelligent. And I like a man who can toss me a compliment.”

“You do something for me that’s exciting,” she shared with him. “I haven’t felt this way in a long time.”

“I had the connection right off the bat,” Mel responded. “It was nice.”

Hearing this brought up emotions within Cindy, who said that she “did not expect to have this type of connection” or “this feeling” so soon.

At the rose ceremony, Cindy received a rose and made it her goal to spend more time with Mel next week. Four women ultimately went home — Monica B., Amy, Monica P. and Terri.

“It’s getting real,” Cindy declared.

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The Golden Bachelor airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.