Do some women play hard to get around good looking men?

Im a guy whos not good looking. I find that women generally open up to me faster than my best friend whos a very good looking dude (im straight but i can obv tell if hes good looking or not) who does get attention from women but has trouble sometimes. He doesnt come off as a creep or anything, hes actually a perfect combo of nice / a challenge, but it seems that some girls he does show interest in shut the door on him. These same girls talk to me but actively seem shy around. IDK why. I mean Im not having with any of these girls, but is it that girls will put a shield on around men they dont think they have a chance with? Doesnt that seem counter-intuitive? Shouldnt she be fearless around men she likes?