This past season of The Bachelor with Matt James, the show’s first Black lead, has been an entire mess to say the least. When viewers thought it couldn’t get any more bewildering, it just did.  Rachel Kirkconnell and Matt James are once more an item. This news comes after what many viewed as unnecessary theatrics that symbolized the pair’s relationship was over.

The winner of the season, Kirkconnell has an unsavory and rocky past in regards to race, to which James essentially turned a blind eye to until she admitted her involvement. James would later state that he could have been more proactive in his questioning in regards to race.

BIPOC contestants from the season released a statement condemning racism and Chris Harrison issued an apology for his racially insensitive statements in defense of Kirkconnell in an interview with the first Black Bachelorette, Rachel Lindsay. She has since decided to not renew her contract with the franchise.

Amidst this reality melee and PR nightmare, James and Kirkconnell were spotted in New York City together. After seemingly denying the fact that they could be seeing each other at first, they were seen been again together in Santa Monica.

Now, it seems that the couple may be back on and James says it is a relationship that he is pursuing. He confirmed to People, “I’ve seen Rachael a handful of times…I’m not pursuing any relationships right now outside of that. I said I was going to focus on my relationship with her and that means focusing on it.”

When asked about Kirkconnell educating herself on the implications of her past behavior, James responded, “That’s something you could talk to her about” before detailing his current focus.

“A lot of what I’m focused on right now is the work that I’m doing in the community and with the [marathon] training,” he added.