She's a single parent just like the star of The Bachelor but there was no love connection between Jason Mesnick and Megan Parris, 25. The high school lacrosse coach, who was dropped from the dating show on Monday's episode, called from her Sewickley, Penn., home to chat with PEOPLE about what you didn't see on her final episode and how Mesnick led her on. She also shared her thoughts on the remaining women, discussed her decision to leave her 18-month-old son Deacon at home while she looked for love on a TV show and revealed whether she'd consider doing The Bachelorette. -- Carrie Bell
Before the rose ceremony, you worried that you hadn't had enough alone time with Jason. But when you left, you seemed shocked that you didn't get a rose. Why the change?Actually this is something we didn't see on the episode ... I was the last girl to speak to him before the rose ceremony. I expressed to him that I was stressed out and wasn't as secure as the others as far as my position in the house. He said, "I'm glad you're here. You're such a positive energy. I still want you here. Don't be afraid that you haven't gotten to know me yet. There's still plenty of time. I was one of the guys who got to know DeAnna Pappas last." That's why I said I was confused upon my exit. I had just spoken to him and he basically reassured me of my spot there.
How do you feel about Jason now?I am kind of impartial. I will say that after all of that happened I began to question the whole process. I began to question if he was really there for love or something else. He is very nice and very considerate of others but I did feel led on. What did he have to gain by saying we had plenty of time to get to know each other and then sending me home?
Do you think you had a love connection with Jason?I do not think I made a connection with Jason. I think I made a bigger connection with the women on the show. I think he made an initial connection with a few of the girls right off the bat and when he saw emotions running high with them, he stuck with what he knew.
Was there anything specific that you said or did that might have hurt your chances?I did express to Jason that I have commitment issues, which was probably pretty stupid of me. I dubbed myself the runaway bride. I was engaged to my son's father and backed out, but I let him know that I was an independent person and was Deacon's only parent.
Was it obvious which women Jason instantly favored? It's obvious that it's the most outgoing girls. Jillian is the funniest thing in the world. She's so cute and spunky. After his date with Molly, I knew he'd like her. He takes to women who are forward. But I have no idea how it ends. I couldn't tell you who I would want to win. They all deserve the best. I could definitely see it working out between Melissa and Jason.
Do you think that the single moms had any advantage in the single dad situation?I am still of the mindset that the single mothers are at a psychological disadvantage. It's a lot more baggage in general. It would be very difficult to have that immediate "we are moving in and we're all gonna be a family" thing. Steph's loving, compassionate personality is an advantage, but I don't think the fact that she is a mom is.
There is a lot of who criticize the single moms for leaving their kids to do the show.It was hard. Going out there, I missed my flight on purpose because I just couldn't leave my son. It was dreadfully painful. Once in awhile it is great to have a weekend with your girlfriends or let him spend time with his grandparents, but this was going to be longer than I had ever been away from him. I spent a significant amount of time bummed out and crying.
Do you regret doing the show?No. Aside from having Deacon, the last few years have been hell and I am grateful to meet women that are in the same phase in their lives and to have made lifelong friends. I'm being criticized for leaving my child, but I was gone for only two or three weeks. Before that, I have been with him 24-7. It's me all the time. Most moms go back to work after three months and they spend more time away from their child going to work 9 to 5 than I did while I was out there. I got to have some time to myself and he got to spend time with his grandparents who are obsessed with him.
What did you like the most about Jason? Seeing a man who loves his child so much is a very attractive thing. I didn't have that with my ex. Jason put his son first. I have a lot of respect for men who do that.
The least?I couldn't read him. I felt like every conversation he had with all of us was the same. He was not giving that much as far as conversations go. And in watching that, he wasn't giving that much to anybody.
Do you think it is realistic to meet and fall in love in eight weeks on TV?I was the biggest skeptic going in. It is probably the most extreme way to get a fresh start in the dating world. I do think it is possible. I relate it to who work in the same office building or when celebrities fall in love on a movie set. It happens quickly because It is such an intense process. This is speed dating on steroids.
Would you consider being on The Bachelorette is asked?I would like to have the experiences that come with being the Bachelorette, but I don't think I could do that. I would feel like, for lack of a better word, a ho.
ADAM LARKEY/ABC
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