Arie Back on Track After 'Bachelorette' Defeat

By
ABC

Arie Luyendyk is racing full steam ahead with his life after suffering heartbreak on The Bachelorette.

In the months since filming wrapped, the racecar driver has grown to accept that things weren't meant to be with Emily Maynard. "I try not to look back at it, just try to look forward, and I know that although she wasn’t the right person for me, there is somebody out there for me," he said optimistically. Although he'd be "flattered" if asked to star as The Bachelor, Arie's not ready to commit to that position just yet.

One role he is up for filling is that of best man to Jef Holm. "I'd be totally on board for it," he offered. "I have nothing but love for them and they're a big part of my life. Jef and I were best friends on the show." This newfound reality star has a celebrity crush on Kate Beckinsale, but unfortunately for him, she too is taken, married to Len Wiseman.

Video: Kalon: From 'Bachelorette' Mansion to White House?

Blinded by love, Arie secretly jetted off to Charlotte to deliver his personal journal to Emily. He explained to ETonline that at that point in time, "I had no idea [of] the outcome, and after talking to Emily's mom, I really felt that Emily's mom wanted her to wait, so I felt like she wasn't engaged to Jef. I really felt… her mind wasn’t made up yet, so I flew to Charlotte with that on my mind."

With all due respect of Emily and Jef's engagement, Arie agrees it "was probably the best decision" for Emily not to crack open the pages. When The Bachelorette began airing, Arie tried to refrain from watching, but eventually found it "therapeutic" to tune in. "I felt like everything was very fresh and I remember everything just how it happened through my thoughts and my memory and my journal and I didn't want to se the TV version of it," he said of his hesitation.

Related: Emily Breaks Down in 'Bachelorette' Season Finale

Arie is happy with the judgment calls Emily made throughout the show. When Emily delivered the sobering news that she had fallen in love with someone else, it "caught [me] off guard," admitted Arie. He's now grateful for her decision to end things then because "a proposal would've been very difficult emotionally to get rejected."

The finale of The Bachelorette aired Sunday night on ABC with Jef dropping to one knee in a romantic proposal to Emily.