Met this guy, kind of a conflict industry wise to be involved with him, but against better judgment I did. I saw that his friend, who is also in the industry, looked me up on linked in. I asked him If he had told anybody about me and he said no and then I told him about his friend and he claimed coincidence and then ”remembered“ that he had mentioned meeting me and that I was cute. Discard? Or is it so early on that he’s embarrassed to have told someone and give him a pass? Can’t decide if I am being too harsh or whether it’s a red flag. Was invoked with a true narcissist for a long time, so much antennae is seriously on red alert.

Sounds like affair mom.
Honestly, you sound like the weird one, here. Who cares if he mentioned you to a friend? Did you mention him to no one? are you married? Is he? why is this a problem?
I personally wouldn't dump a guy over this - like you said, he was embarrassed and covering his tracks. But it also sounds like your judgment was already telling you you shouldn't get involved with him for work reasons.
I must be missing something here that you are identifying as a red flag . . .