Love Don't Cost a Thing by Shelby Clark

for you to ask me? I said I love you and I meant it.”
    “Do you think you could be with me the rest of your life?”
    “I don’t know for sure. I need time to think about that.”
    “If you were given time to decide, then would you marry me?”
    Where is he going with this? “Yes, I would if we could take our time to decide.”
    He pulled his hand from under his pillow to expose a huge diamond ring. “Monica London, will you do me the honors of marrying me? I’ll give you all the time you need to decide when.”
    Monica sat up. Tears filled her eyes and flowed down her cheeks. “Are you serious, Colin? We’re talking about the rest of our lives.”
    “Yes, babe, I know. I really do love you.”
    “Me too.” Hm, did you set this all up, Colin Bradford? This room and the dinner? I know you’re used to getting what you want. Never mind, right now I don’t care.
    They lay in each other’s arms admiring the ring on her finger. For the moment Colin was content with Monica’s answer to his marital proposal.
    ****
    “Wake up, beautiful!” Colin stood before Monica dressed from head to toe in his ski suit. “I’m getting hot so I’ll meet you outside. Do you want to go skiing first or go riding on the snow mobile?”
    Monica sat up to get herself together. As she wiped her eyes, the sun’s reflection replicated its light all over the room. Rays of rainbow colored light decorated the room. “Aw, look, babe, isn’t that pretty?”
    “Yes, it is, but it’s more becoming on your finger.”
    Holding her hand up in admiration, Monica jump up and hurried to get dress.
    “OK, give me fifteen.”
    She ran to the bathroom slamming the door behind her with a whip of her hand.
    ****
    Monica picked up a hand full of snow and threw it at the back of Colin’s head when he wasn’t looking, causing him to lose his balance on the slippery surface he was standing on.
    He grabbed the back of his head. “Fuck, what was that. Shit, I know that ass wipe isn’t coming back for more because I hit him in the mouth.”
    “Ahhh, ha, ha, ha, how does the snow feel? Is your ass cold yet?” Monica screamed as she ran past in slow motion. The deep snow made her legs feel like she was running with weights around her ankles.
    Colin laid there stunned for a second as he watched Monica pass him.
    “What? Oh, OK, Moe! You want to start a snowball fight? You better run while you can.”
    “Bring it on, babe! Ooh, I’m scared, shaking over here. NOT!”
    Monica ran behind an old shed. Their commotion attracted other men and women walking and skiing by. Within ten minute they both had a team of ten people, men against the women, throwing snowballs.
    She yelled out from behind the shed on the behalf of the women. “Hey fellas, if we when you have to cook dinner for us ladies tonight.”
    “Yeah!” Cheered all the ladies.
    Colin yelled back, “Moe, we’re at a lodge. How will we be able to do that?”
    She stepped out from behind the shed. “Just like you, sweetie, I have connections too.” She pointed to the owner of the lodge on the overhead balcony. He stood there with a wave of his hand.
    “I already made the arrangements, sir. So I hope you guys can cook. I’m feeling like a stake myself.”
    Colin’s mouth fell open in shock.
    “Well if that’s the case, then you ladies have to do the same if we win,” he responded while nodding his head in agreement.
    While they were coming to terms with the arrangements, more women were joining her team.
    She returned to her post. “Listen up ladies, that’s my fiancé and your significant others over there are out to defeat us and they would love to kick our asses. But are we going out like that?”
    They all screamed, “Hell No!”
    “That’s what I wanted to hear! So we’re going to take advantage of the situation. We need distractions, counter acts, and reinforcements.”
    “Hi, Moe, I’m Gigi. I’ll take three ladies with me. We’re the distraction.”
    Gigi and her