Lovely Writer: Did Nubsib know that Tum & Gene are friend from college?

In Episode 7, after Nubsib made up with Gene at Gene's suburb house, Nubsib confessed many facts to Tum over the phone when Nubsib was rambling through the trunk of his car. 

Tum was guessing Nubsib's plan and putting pieces together. Tum realized that Nubsib has planned and put everything in motion since day one before the audition. One thing that I didn't catch.... did Nubsib know of friendship between Tum & Gene beforehand?

More of the revealing was done when Nubsib was at his condo balcony with Gene... That's when he told Gene that he purposefully planned the road to the audition because it's Gene's novel series. Still that hasn't answer my question... maybe the book has more details.  

I think he knew before the café scene. Because he acted like he was surprised but Nubsib was clearly faking the surprise. He said '' ohhh '' but his face showed that he knew and he was smug about it.