Does Mel Owens End Up With Anyone On ‘The Golden Bachelor’?

While we’ll ultimately have to tune in to The Golden Bachelor Season 2 finale to find out how Mel’s late-in-life love story ends, let’s quickly recap the feelings Mel expressed for Peg and Cindy during Fantasy Suite Week. If you’re looking for a detailed Season 2, Episode 7 recap, Decider’s got you covered. Otherwise, ready on for the Final 2 Fantasy Suite Week rundown.

Who Wins The Golden Bachelor Season 2? Does Mel End Up With Peg Munson?

Ever since Peg, a 62-year-old retired firefighter, fire investigator, and bomb tech, rolled up on scene, hopped out of the limo, and tried to disarm a fake bomb on the driveway of the Bachelor Mansion, Mel was blown away. You can read all about Mel and Peg’s successful Fantasy Suite date here, but if words speak louder than actions for you, here’s what the lovebirds had to say…

“Peg is perfect for me. She’s my style,” Mel said. “She’s full of joy, she’s fun, and she’s tough, too. All those things together make her who she is, and that’s why I like her. I’m all in on Peg. She has that charisma, and that passion, that love for life, and it’s captivating.”

Later on in the episode, Mel told cameras, “From the first moment I met Peg, I knew she was someone special. She’s strong minded, strong willed. She’s also loving, compassionate. She makes me smile. She’s funny. And I’m so lucky.”

After their special night together, Mel explained, “Peg and I connected on a whole bunch of different levels, and knowing her a little bit better, obviously brings me a little bit closer to her. I have an even better understanding who she is, and we’re quite compatible.” Peg echoed his strong feelings, saying, “All of my concerns definitely got answered. Last night, Mel showed me that he can be open, that he has that capacity to be vulnerable, and to be emotionally intelligent. He makes me feel safe, he makes me feel seen, he makes me feel heard.”

But Peg isn’t the only woman in the picture…

Who Wins The Golden Bachelor Season 2? Does Mel End Up With Cindy Angelcyk Cullers?

Unlike Peg, Cindy told Mel she was falling for him ahead of Fantasy Suite week. But she also had a candid chat with him about fears that his feelings weren’t as strong as hers. Still, the 60-year-old retired biomedical engineer from Austin, Texas caught Mel’s eye early on, and heading into Fantasy Suite Week he had lovely things to say about her.

“She’s very romantic, and she’s very affectionate. She’s in-tune with how I feel. It seems like she makes every moment count when she’s with me. There’s a lot of emotional connections along the way,” Mel explained pre-date. “Every time I’m with her, my feelings grow stronger and stronger, and I feel like she would be perfect for me. There’s a certain chemistry and energy with her. I feel amazing when I’m with her…I feel so hopeful about a future with Cindy.”

Again, high praise from the Season 2 lead! But without question, the day and night portions of Mel and Cindy’s Antigua date didn’t go as smoothly as Mel and Peg’s date did…so could that impact his big decision? Before the overnight invite even happened, the two brought up Peg and Cindy interrogated Mel about deciding factors, where his heart was leaning, and what he wanted at the end of the journey. “I think that no matter what, a relationship would have to develop over time. There’s still moving parts, right? So who knows,” he said, which didn’t impress Cindy, nor did the fact that he didn’t seem to have any questions for her.

As the two went back and forth, Cindy tried to get an accurate read on Mel ahead of a potential Fantasy Suite, but he kept his cards close to the vest. “I’m wondering, is it me? Is it maybe because he has a tighter relationship with Peg, or maybe that’s just who he is?” Cindy asked. “I’ve been vulnerable, and I want to feel that my partner is excited to move forward with me and to share their life with me.” Before the episode concluded, Mel told Cindy, “If there’s a will, there’s a way,” and Cindy replied, “So that begs the question: Is there a will?” We’ll have to wait until the finale to get an answer, as The Golden Bachelor Season 2’s penultimate episode ended without a second Fantasy Suite. So is that another bad sign for Cindy?!

During Season 2’s penultimate episode, Mel said, “I have to choose between two incredible women. It’s an impossible choice.” But it’s one he’ll have to make during the “explosive” two-hour season finale, after the ladies potentially meet Mel’s family.

“I’m in the unknown at this point. I don’t know if it’s gonna blow up,” Mel said in a finale teaser. So tune in next week to see if Mel leaves the season alone, with a girlfriend, or with a fiancé.

The Golden Bachelor Season 2 finale airs on ABC Wednesdays, November 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET.