Ashley Hebert travels back to the United States with her four remaining men — Constantine Tzortzis, Ben Flajnik, J.P. Rosenbaum and Ames Brown — to go on the hometown dates during the July 18 episode of The Bachelorette. From crazy dance parties to serious chats with sisters and moms about the future, Ashley faces a slew of surprises that help bring her one step closer to handing out the final rose … and hopefully getting engaged!
Constantine gets the first hometown date in Cumming, Ga. They start off by going to Constantine’s family restaurant Giorgio’s. Constantine teaches Ashley how to make a pizza.”It clicks for me,” Constantine tells Ashley. “I’m like let’s make this work. That’s the beauty of love — you can’t force it happen.”
“There’s definite chemistry between Constantine and I,” says Ashley to the cameras before they kiss.
Constantine then takes Ashley to his parents’ house for dinner. Constantine’s mom pulls Ashley away and asks if Ashley if she’s willing to relocate. “I can be happy in a lot of different places,” replies Ashley. “I would be more than willing to move.”
After the serious talk, Constantine’s whole family shows up. Everyone kicks up their feet and starts dancing. How do you say FIESTA in Greek? His family just loves Ashley!
Ashley next visits Ames in Chadds Ford, Penn. Ames instantly introduces Ashley to his family — and Ames sister decides to confront Ashley. She tells Ashley that Ames “clearly has feelings” for her, and she wants to know if Ashley feels the same way. “Our relationship is moving a lot slower than the others,” fesses Ashley. “I definitely feel something for Ames. He’s different in a good way. I’m just not ready to stop learning about him. It’s worth it to me.”
“I’m still missing that romance,” Ashley complains to the cameras later on. “I’m still missing that spark between us.”
Date three: Ben takes Ash to his home in Sonoma, Calif. — and of course they go to his winery. They get caught in the rain and have to take cover. Ben opens up about his father and past relationships. But then Ben puts on the pressure about meeting his mom and sister. “It has to work otherwise it just doesn’t work for me,” he says. “My mom and my sister are everything to me. I couldn’t marry a woman that my mom and sister didn’t approve of.”
Ben’s mom shares baby pics with Ashley. “Dating Ashley has been an eye opening experience,” Ben admits to his mom before breaking down in tears over missing his dad who passed away. “I’m glad I’m starting to fall in love. This is more real than it’s ever been.”
“I could see myself spending the rest of my life with him,” says Ashley.
Ashley saves the best for last! She travels to Long Island, N.Y. to see rumored winner J.P. J.P. takes her rollerskating, but they spend the majority of the time making out. “I’m on such a high when I’m with you,” J.P. reveals to Ashley. “Then when I’m without you, it sucks. I’m miserable.”
J.P.’s mom is concerned that her son may get hurt. “There are a lot of signs that point towards [that I'm falling in love]. I think I’m having difficulty admitting it yet,” shares J.P. “I don’t think I’m going to get my heart broken.”
“I want it to end now. I want her to pick me now,” J.P. adds to his brother. “I want it to go on with her.”
During the rose ceremony, Ames does not receive a rose. Ames’ goodbye to Ashley is just off. Sorry Ames, but what guy says “it’s been beautiful” or “it’s poetic” when they’re getting dumped? Still, you have to feel bad for the guy. You can tell he’s crushed.
BFFs — after watching the hometown dates, who do you think Ashley should pick in the end?
