Confused by a man's behaviour?

I have recently met this man I really like but his behaviour has left me totally confused. When we're alone together or away from his friends he is completely gentle, attentive, and I get all the signals in the world that he thinks the same about me. But when his friends come along its like he has a split personality. He doesn't look me in the eye and he leaves the room. Who on earth am I talking to? Am I wasting my time? Is he just sending out signals that he just doesn't want me to be part of his life? I mean, how many personalities can one person have?