My wife and I can't believe how squirrely people have become since the pandemic years! We often mistake friends' behavior as being standoffish/erratic/aloof but then they're completely different during the next interaction. I don't think algorithms have helped at all—people can be wound tightly and tend to have more chips on their shoulders. When I encounter it I just try to tell myself it isn't me, it's them, but it's difficult not to take things personally sometimes as that emotional reaction is usually what you feel before reason eventually kicks in. I'm glad your friend is coming around. If both parties are decent it's tough not to like people we have regular face-time and shared experiences with.