Bachelor Nation fans have been watching Maurissa Gunn and Riley Christian’s love story unfold on “Bachelor in Paradise,” but their relationship was put to the test when Demar Jackson stepped foot on the beach on this week’s episode.

Maurissa made it clear that she had her eye on Demar before coming to “Paradise,” but she was pleasantly surprised by her instant connection with Riley, who she didn’t know before coming on the show.

The Bachelor Nation star stopped by “Bachelor Happy Hour” to spill the tea about her first conversation with Demar in “Paradise” and how she really felt when he hit the beach.

She told co-hosts Becca Kufrin and Tia Booth, “The week before, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I don’t know what to do. What if Demar comes down any day now?’ Because I know that that’s who I wanted to see coming in, but like I said before, I had no idea who Riley was.”

Becca confirmed that Maurissa had discussions with her about her interest in Demar during “Paradise,” but Maurissa said that her initial conversation with him only further solidified her relationship with Riley.

“When Demar came and we had that conversation, I was like, ‘This isn’t it.’ I knew I felt a spark with Riley. When Riley pulled me to have that same conversation, it was like an instant connection, but with Demar it was just more like a friend, so I knew,” Maurissa explained.

Maurissa also revealed that during their conversation, Demar asked her to go on the date with him, but it didn’t make it on air.

Despite being interested in him before coming to the beach, Maurissa said that throughout their entire conversation, she was thinking, “This isn’t Riley. All I wanted to do back to him.”

Tia chimed in, adding that Demar’s presence was good for Maurissa’s relationship with Riley because it “lit a fire under him.”

“Riley hadn’t expressed to me yet his true feelings, so my mind was just spiraling, wondering if I made the right decision by not going on this date,” Maurissa explained. “I came into ‘Paradise’ with the intention of finding my husband. Day one, I was like, ‘I’m finding my husband.’”

She said she was worried that she and Riley weren’t on the same page about leaving with their forever person, but Demar’s arrival actually sparked an important conversation between her and Riley, which we saw unfold last night.

Maurissa revealed that not only did the Demar situation light a fire under Riley but it also pushed her to bring up difficult topics she typically avoided in previous relationships.

To hear more of Maurissa’s conversation with Becca and Tia, check out the latest episode of “Bachelor Happy Hour” below.