Cocktail Party

Once all the women were inside, they sipped on delectable cocktails waiting to raise a glass with Clayton. “I have never seen so many beautiful women in one room,” shared the Bachelor during the champagne toast. “I’m going to be in way over my head, but in the best possible way. Guys, I’m nervous, alright. I really am. Like, it doesn’t feel real to me. Like now I’m here, it’s like, okay, guess you are the Bachelor at this point.”
Throughout the night, he sat down with several women to get to know them on a more personal level. While some kept conversations light, others opened up immediately. In fact, a contestant named Elizabeth even gave Clayton an old photo of her grandfather to hold onto throughout the season. “As a symbol of everything in life happens for a reason,” she shared. With the photograph in his pocket, another suitor named Teddi shared with Clayton how thrilled she was to meet him in person finally.
“It’s something about you,” he told Teddi. “Like when you stepped out, I was just like, I don’t know,” he said before landing a kiss on her lips. Teddi marked the very first kiss of the season. “I felt that spark right away,” he eagerly shared in a confessional. “It’s wild.”

Following the memorable moment, he tested his athletic skills with Claire. As the two bonded over their favorite football teams, they played a fun round of cornhole and munched on chicken wings. Shortly after the blonde bombshell left their tailgate-inspired date, Claire told the other girls that Clayton is “100 percent too nice” for her. It wasn’t long until rumors started to spread around the house about Claire’s negative feelings about Clayton. Therefore, Serene suggested that Clayton should reevaluate and speak with her again.
Once he heard that Claire mentioned she “hated” Clayton, he pulled her aside to address the matter. “No, I don’t hate you. I just, it feel like we just haven’t like clicked,” she responded. Clayton walked Claire out without hesitation and acknowledged his decision to send her home with the other ladies.