Hi,
This is a tricky situation. You wanting to spend time with your friends is understandable under the circumstances. However, your husband feeling neglected, is his perception. So how can you remove this perception?
During the pandemic, you did spend more time with your husband. Due to lock down and all. Also a new relationship. So the time together must have been a blessing.
Your marriage is young. It definitely requires more time to cement. Think of the exclusive time you spent together during the lockdown. Has this been reduced? Could you think of creative ways to increase the time spent together?
Would it be possible to reduce time spent with your friends? Maybe some time your husband can accompany you on meeting your friends? Once he meets them, he may accept them. Encourage him to meet his friends, and you too meet them sometimes? Would it help if you were to inform him a couple of days before about your meeting your friends? Then he too plans his time.
When you are with each other, your quality time together, make it significant. With discussions , sharing, humor and activities that involve you both. Maybe then he will not grudge you your time with friends.
Counsellor at Happy Marriages