Entertainment - Friday, February 19, 2010 14:05 - 0 Comments

The Bachelor’s Ali Still Misses Jake

Ali Fedotowsky, 25, abruptly left The Bachelor when she was forced to choose between her job and her budding love for Jake. After leaving the show, she decided that she wanted another shot with Jake, but he had already moved farther with the other women. Ali talks to PEOPLE about her feelings for Jake and the rumors that she will be the next Bachelorette.

How did this work/taping snafu happen?
After hometowns, we had downtime. I called my manager with a producer supervising. I found out I wasn’t eligible for a leave of absence. I was under the impression that I’d get one or they’d make an exception. The final word didn’t come down until two hours before the rose ceremony. After went back to work, they ended up granting me one … It was too late.

What could Jake have said to you that night to keep you leaving?
I don’t think I was expecting Jake to make me stay. When you’re going through a tough time, you call your best friend and talk through it. He was the closest person to me there and I was just hoping that he’d listen and help me work it out myself.

Did you speak with your family before deciding?
I got the chance to speak with my mother. I said, “I’m falling in love with this boy. What happens if I quit and Jake doesn’t pick me in the end?” She said, “I saw you together. He loves you. You should stay.” I didn’t believe in me.

Do you still feel like you made the wrong decision?
Feelings are so gray. There are times I regret it. I have consistently put my career first and maybe that’s why I’m single. When I saw Jake at Women Tell All, I felt a lot of regret. But when I’m sitting at my desk I think, “I love this job. I made the right choice.” If I had to choose between love and work again, I might choose love. I need to start focusing on that more.

Jake said he’d always love you. Do you feel the same?
My heart broke when I heard that because I’ll always have love for him. I miss him now.

How’d you feel when he wouldn’t let you return?
Shocked and heartbroken. I thought his feelings were as strong as mine and he’d be happy that we’d be together. The first time I understood his decision was when I saw how special the St. Lucia dates were and the relationships he was building there.

If he’d proposed, would you have said yes?
Yes. The feelings were real. This is the type of guy and relationship I’ve always wanted — someone so nice and loving and giving. I don’t know that I ever imagined my future husband so good-looking. That was imtimidating.

If he came to you now and wanted to give it a try without cameras, would you date him?
He was hurt by me leaving and I think he is with someone right now and happy, so I don’t know that I can imagine him coming back. But if he did, I would think about it. I really care for him. I don’t know how quickly we could move forward.

You had constant issues with Vienna yet the audience never really saw what she did to earn them.
Vienna says things before she thinks. She feels that if she gossips, people will listen. She apologized and I said, “I want you to prove you’ve changed.” But the talking went on. My heart goes out to her because she’s being slammed in the media and I don’t think she deserves that. She’s a decent person, but she’s young. Maybe her life experience hasn’t taught her that she shouldn’t say things about people. I have no ill will towards her.

There’s a lot of buzz that you’re going to be the next Bachelorette.
I had to make a tough choice whether to stay or leave because of work. I’d be faced with that decision again, but I would challenge myself to put love first … The opportunity would be so exciting. It’d be very difficult for me because I’ve never met a guy and been attracted right away. Usually I have several interactions and become attracted to their mind instead of the first impression. I might not be any good because I’d be drilling everyone.

I think a lot of women are starting to go on The Bachelor in hopes of becoming The Bachelorette. Wouldn’t you rather be in control of finding love than the one on the line all the time? Vienna seems exactly like that type, but the producers would never choose her!