Matt Jamesmight’ve found love onThe Bachelorafter all.
Although the reality star, 29, revealed onAfter the Final Roselast monththat he and his final rose recipientRachael Kirkconnellbroke up after past racially insensitive photos of her surfaced, the two have since beenspotted together in Los AngelesandNew York City.
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“I’ve seen Rachael a handful of times,” James confirmed to PEOPLE while discussing his partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods for May’s National Runners' Month. “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.”
As for whether James, who’s currently training for a marathon, feels Kirkconnell, 24, has been doing the work she promised in regard to educating herself about racism, “that’s something you could talk to her about,” the former Bachelor said. “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.”
Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell.Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty
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The North Carolina native squashed any possibility that he — or BFFTyler Cameron— might turn up on the upcoming season ofBachelor in Paradise.
“There’s a negative chance I’ll be onParadise,” James said. “There is a negative chance Tyler’s on there as well. I think we’re good on that.”
Kirkconnellapologized in Februaryfor the photos of her at an antebellum-themed party in college in 2018 and promised to “continue to learn how to be antiracist.”
Jamessaid onAfter the Final Rosethat he wanted “to take a step back and allow her to put in that work.”
Listen below to the episode ofour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more on what Matt James said about his relationship with Rachael Kirkconnell.
“The work and reconciliation that needs to be done is work that I can’t do for you,” he told Kirkconnell. “And I know that you’re capable of doing it.”
Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James.Rachael Kirkconnell/ instagram
Now, James hopes to continue to be a voice in his community.
“Just being at the center of meaningful conversations, that’s what I’m looking to do,” James told PEOPLE. “I really enjoyed the conversations I had over the past few months and I think it’d be a lot of fun to be a voice on important issues. That’s where I see my future and where I’m pursuing opportunities.”
source: people.com
